Disa welwitschii

Family: Orchidaceae

What it is like

An orchid that grows in the ground. It grows 20-100 cm tall. There are 2-4 leaves on a non flowering shoot. These are narrow and 10-30 cm long. They are folded along their length. The leaves on the flowering shoot are sword shaped and 3-10 cm long. The flowering shoots are 3-14 cm long and have 20-100 flowers densely crowded along them. The flowers are bright orange to red.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in wet grassland. In Zimbabwe it grows between 900-2,400 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Tuber, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Mukengia, Myala

Synonyms

Disa breyeri Schltr.; Disa calophylla Kraenzl.; Disa hyacintina Kraenzl.; Disa ignea Kraenzl.;