Disa robusta

Family: Orchidaceae

What it is like

An orchid. It has separate sterile and fertile shoots. The sterile shoots are 10 cm tall and have 2-4 leaves. The leaves are 30 cm long and narrowly oval. The fertile shoots are 60-80 cm tall. The flower heads are 7-15 cm long and there are 10-20 flowers. The flowers are red and face downwards.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in mountain grassland between 1,500-2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Burundi, Central Africa, Congo, Congo DR, East Africa, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Tubers, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chukande kijike, Fungulwe

Synonyms

Disa coccinea Kraenzl.; Disa praestans Kraenzl.;