Brachycorythis pubescens

Family: Orchidaceae

What it is like

A ground orchid. It is a herb. It grows 15-75 cm tall. The roots are fleshy, woolly and tuber like. It has short downy hairs. There are many overlapping leaves. The leaves are 5 cm long by 1 cm wide. The flowering stalks are 4-35 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. There are many flowers densely arranged. The flowers are pink, mauve or purple.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in grassland and open woodland. It grows between 500-2,250 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Root, tuber

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kikanda

Synonyms

Brachycorythis goetzeana Kraenzl.; Brachycorythis hispidula (Rendle) Schltr.; Brachycorythis kassneriana Kraenzl.; Brachycorythis stolzii Schltr.; Peristylus hispidulus Rendle;