Dispersis Olof Swartz
in Kongl. Vetenskaps Academiens nya Handlinger 21 (1800), 218

Introduction: A genus of perhaps up to seventy five species, all of which, except four species, are confined to continental Africa.

Derivation of genus name: Greek, dis (two, twice), pera (sac). Refers to the pouches formed by the lateral sepals.

Type species: Dispersis capensis Swartz
Basionym: Arethusa capensis Linne

Characteristics of the genus: Terrestrials which bear rather complex flowers which can be small to large. Plants are small and erect, with sparsely leafy tiny deciduous stems arising from small tubers, usually one to three small terminal flowers; petals erect forming a hood with dorsal sepal behind column.

Number of species in New Guinea: D. rhodoneura is the only species. Found in the Torricelli and Finistere ranges, it represents the most eastern occurrence of the genus.

Species line drawing: Dispersis rhodoneura Schlechter
partly redrawn by Emmanuel Saya from Figuren Atlas zu den Orchidaceen von Deutsch Neu Guinea
Key to Illustration: A: habit of Dispersis sp.; B: flower, front view; C: dorsal sepal; D: lateral sepal; E: petal; F: labellum; G: rostellum; H: pollinia

Habitat: From Schlechter's records it appears that the New Guinea Dispersis is a mountain orchid occurring at elevations between 700 and 1,200 metres above sea level, growing in undergrowth in moss and leaf litter.

Conservation status: Not known