Bonatea porrecta
- Bonatea porrecta by Duncan McFarlane
Description
Fairly robust terrestrial, which can grow up to 560 mm tall. Leaves 5-16, cauline, narrowly oblong, up to 130 mm long and withered at flowering time. Inflorescence lax, carries 3-36 flowers, which are green and white.
This species is different to all others in Gauteng in that flowering commences between late June after the leaves have withered in the dry winter conditions. The plant starts growing a new shoot beside the old flowering shoot as soon as it starts raining in early summer and continues until late autumn, when it is in full leaf and commences the start of the terminal inflorescence. The leaves have fully withered by mid May.
Distribution in South Africa
Grows from the Northern part of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga, the Eastern part of Gauteng and into Limpopo.
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Typical habitat
Occasional in grassland and scrub, from 150-1800 m.
Most of the original species localities around Gauteng have been destroyed by urban development and only 2 localities in nature reserves are known.
Flowering Period
This species typically flowers between June and August. In Gauteng the flowers are destroyed by typical winter veld-fires that are now occurring more often in their habitat in urbanised areas.
Distribution elsewhere in Africa
Also found in Mozambique.
Conservation Status
Widespread but occasional. 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 porrecta by Duncan McFarlane
- Bonatea porrecta by Duncan McFarlane