Bonatea cassidea

Description

Slender terrestrial, up to 640 mm tall. Leaves 5-13, cauline and spear shaped, sometimes withered at flowering time. Inflorescence is by way of a continuation of the stem and carries up to 35 flowers, which are green and white, where the lip midlobe and petal lobes are white in western populations and green in eastern populations. Spur up to 26mm long. Pollinated by butterflies. Syn: Bonatea saundersiae.

Distribution in South Africa

Occurs from southern part of the Eastern Cape, through KwaZulu Natal and in to Mpumalanga.   

 
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Typical habitat

Common in savanna, forest and thicket, from near sea level to 1500 m.   

Flowering Period

This species typically flowers between July and October.  

Distribution elsewhere in Africa

Also found in Zimbabwe.

Conservation Status

Quoted as being fairly common and therefore not endangered. Click on the distribution map to see the latest conservation status and also refer to Provincial Species List on this site for Provincial Red and Orange listing and SANBI Orchid red list. 

All indigenous orchids are protected under South African legislation as well as CITES regulations.

References and additional information

Johnson, S.D., Bytebier, B., Stärker, H. (2010). Orchids of South Africa: A field guide. Struik Nature, Cape Town, South Africa.
La Croix, I.F., la Croix, E. (1997). African Orchids in the Wild and in Cultivation. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, USA.

This genus and species article was written by Duncan McFarlane and published 2019-05-03.
Proof read and edited by Karsten Wodrich.

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