Bonatea polypodantha

• Bonatea ploypodantha by Duncan Mc Farlane

Description

Slender terrestrial up to 330 mm tall. Leaves 4-8, basal leaves 1-3, broadly elliptic, up to 120 mm. Cauline leaves 2-5, spear shaped and much smaller than basal leaves. Inflorescence lax, carrying 2-12 flowers, which are pale green and white. Characterised by the lower petal lobe, which is long, thread-like and curved.  

Distribution in South Africa

Widespread from the Northern part of the Eastern Cape, Eastern Free State, KwaZulu Natal, Gauteng and into Mpumalanga. Fairly common in the Magaliesburg.  

 
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Typical habitat

Found in dense shade in riverine scrub forests, from 550 m to 2000 m. Endemic.

Flowering Period

This species typically flowers between January and April.   

Distribution elsewhere in Africa

N/A.  

Conservation Status

Fairly common. Click on the distribution map to see the latest conservation status 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 2019-05-02.
Proof read and edited by Karsten Wodrich.

Images

• Bonatea polypodantha by Duncan McFarlane

• Bonatea polypodantha by Duncan McFarlane

• Bonatea ploypodantha by Duncan Mc Farlane