Disa ferruginea
Disa ferruginea | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Monocots |
Order: | Asparagales |
Family: | Orchidaceae |
Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
Tribe: | Diseae |
Subtribe: | Disinae |
Genus: | Disa |
Species: | D. ferruginea |
Binomial name | |
Disa ferruginea | |
Disa ferruginea is a stout, reed-like terrestrial 200-450mm tall. Radical leaves linear, developing after flowering;cauline leaves dry, sheathing. Inflorescence dense, 1-40 flowered. Flowers bright red to orange, often with some parts yellow. Median sepal apiculate, galea 8-10 mm deep;spur slender, grading into the galea, 7-20 mm long;lateral sepals projecting away;elliptic to narrowly elliptic, with apiculi up to 4 mm long;petals spear-shaped, 5-7 mm long;lip narrowly egg to spear-shaped, 10-12 mm long.
Distribution
The species is endemic to the South-Western Cape of South Africa. In fynbos vegetation.
Habitat
Occasional to common in dry to slightly damp localities, usually in the zone of the southeaster clouds, from 400-1,500 m. Pollinated by the mountain pride butterfly. Hybridizes very rarely with D.graminifolia. Flowers between February and March, stimulated by fire.