Very little is known about indigenous orchids by the public who are largely unaware that there are just under 500 species of which 45 are endemic (only occur in South Africa). Very little research has been carried out regarding ecology, conservation and propagation although a number of species have become extinct and habitat destruction is progressing at an alarming rate. Up until now there has been no attempt to address these issues on a National scale and Provincial legislation and cooperation is fragmented. Only through a focused National integrated effort that engages the public and all roll players will survival of orchids be assured.
Substantial Donation Received by WOSA
In memory the first anniversary of WOSA's founding member Bill Mincher's passing on 17 June 2019, his daughter Jane Kratz has donated and amount of R 60,000.00 to WOSA this past Wednesday the 17th of June 2020.
The money is to be used for the planning and execution of WOSA6 - the next Wild Orchids Southern Africa Conference. As a result of the COVID19 pandemic this has been postponed to tentatively take place in the spring of 2021.
The executive committee of WOSA is extremely grateful for this donation. Jane and some of the WOSA members put a lot of work into raising the R 60,000.00.
Amidst the pandemic WOSA Executive Chairman Marinus Kort and WOSA president Karsten Wodrich briefly met up with Jane for the official handover of the donation.
Jane Kratz (right) handing over a cheque for R 60,000.00 to WOSA Executive Chairman Marinus Kort (center) and WOSA President Karsten Wodrich (left)
Traditionally orchid distribution data was recorded by collecting herbarium specimens. OrchidMap takes the recording of orchid distribution data into the 20th century. Anyone can now contribute to the distribution data by simply uploading photos of any orchid found in its natural habitat - together with location data - into OrchidMap. Any contributions are welcome!
This location data can then used for a multitude of applications - from Environmental Impact Assessments through to determining correlations of flowering time with climatic conditions. The data is now accessible to anyone - from the serious researcher right through to the orchid enthusiast.
Detail location data is securely protected and maps and locations publicly accessible in OrchidMap are restricted to squares of approx. 26km x 26km.
OrchidMap is part of the Virtual Museum maintained by the Animal Demography Unit (ADU) at the University of Cape Town
For more information regarding the preservation of South Africa's wild Orchids or if you would like to get involved please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or complete this short form Contact Us and we will contact you.