FZ.56. Ansellia Lindl.

Stout, epiphytic herb with spreading roots from which arise many erect bristly, litter-gathering roots. Pseudobulbs clustered, fusiform, ribbed, cane-like, several-noded, leafy towards the apex. Leaves large, plicate. Inflorescence a many-flowered, axillary panicle. Flowers yellow, heavily or lightly (rarely not at all) blotched red-brown. Sepals and petals ± similar, spreading. Lip 3-lobed, with 2-3 central longitudinal keels. Column with 4 pollinia.

Derivation of name: for John Ansell (?-1847), British gardener for the Royal Horticultural Society and plant collector.

Worldwide: 1 species in tropical and southern Africa.

Rwanda: 1 taxon.