Pink-candle orchid
Satyrium neglectum

Family: Orchidaceae

What it is like

An orchid. It grows in the soil. It grows 1 m tall. The tubers are hairy and produce slender or stout stems. The tubers are 1.5-3 cm long and 1 cm wide. The roots are hairy and wiry. There are separate leafy stems next to the flowering stems. There are 2-5 leaves on the sterile stems. The lowest one or two surround the stem. The upper leaves are long and narrow and 27 cm long by 6.5 cm wide. The flowering stalk is 4-35 cm long. It has 6-12 leaves that form a sheath around it. These leaves are 13 cm long. They are narrow and pointed. The flower head is 5-25 cm long. There are many small pink to yellow flowers. They have a sweet scent. The fruit is a narrowly oval capsule. It opens by slits to release the very small seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Tanzania it grows in grassland between 1,800-2,700 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania

How it is used for food

The tubers are peeled, cooked and eaten like potatoes. They are also pound into flour and used to make cakes.

Tubers and cakes are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Tubers, roots

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from tubers.

Tubers are harvested during and shortly after the rainy season. Tubers can be stored for several months if kept cool and dry.

Its other names

Local names

Chikande, Kikande, Limwapembe, Nyamahebele

Synonyms

Satyrium colliferum Schltr.; Satyrium densum Rolfe;