Disa aconitoides
- Disa aconitoides by Duncan McFarlane
Description
Slender terrestrial up to 600mm tall. Different to other species and quite unique. Rarely produces sterile shoots. Leaves 5-10 on sterile shoot, cauline. Inflorescence lax with 15-50 flowers, which face downwards at 45 degrees. They are off-white or flushed pale mauve with darker mauve spots. The lip has a central solid mauve line.
Distribution in South Africa
From the Eastern Cape in the south, through KwaZulu Natal and Mpumulanga and into Limpopo in the north. Subspecies aconitoides is restricted to South Africa and Swaziland and is the only subspecies occurring in the region. Therefor it is endemic. The author has also seen this Disa in Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, south-east of Johannesburg. Grows as a single specimen and in view of it's size, it can easily be overlooked.
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Typical habitat
Occasional in damp grassland, from sea level to 2200m.
Flowering Period
This species typically flowers between November and December.
Distribution elsewhere in Africa
Subspecies concinna is found in the DRC, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and subspecies goetzeana is found in Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi.
Conservation Status
Slightly endangered. 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 orchids are protected under 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 Mc Farlane and published 2019-05-08.
Proof-read and edited by Karsten Wodrich.
Images
- Disa aconitoides by Duncan McFarlane
- Disa aconitoides by Duncan McFarlane
- Disa aconitioides by Lourens Grobler 01
Version 1.2
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