Cyrtorchis arcuata subsp. arcuata

arcuata: curved like a bow or arched, probably referring to the curved spur.

Epiphytic or lithophytic herb. Plants with a robust stem, up to 30 long, often forming large clumps. Leaves, leathery or somewhat fleshy, more or less flat and not folded along the length, linear, oblong or elliptic, up to 20 × 2.5 cm. Inflorescences 8-18 cm long, c. 10-flowered. Flowers star-shaped, sweetly scented, 2.5-3 cm in diameter, white, turning apricot with age. Sepals, petals and lip similar, lanceolate, acuminate, recurved at the apex. Spur 3-6 cm long, greenish, curved.

Widespread in tropical and South Africa.