Satyrium

Satyriums are tuberous perennials of the Orchidaceae family growing from large, ovoid to globose tubers. They are terrestrial (ground orchids) or lithophytic (growing on rocks). Some species like Satyrium odorum and S. ligulatum also reproduce vegetatively from long stolon-like roots, forming colonies, not from seed.

Satyrium plants grow two to a few fleshy or succulent leaves, crowded basally or spiralling up the stems, the lowest ones sometimes flat on the ground. Leaf bases sheathe the stem.

Some satyriums grow a second sterile shoot of leaves only. This shoot may become fertile with flower stem in a following season.

The dense or lax inflorescence, a raceme, has fleshy or membranous bracts subtending the flowers. The non-resupinate Satyrium flower (with untwisted ovary) bears its hooded lip or median petal at the top, with its tip extended narrowly as a flap, sometimes flexed.

Two descending spurs are mostly found on the back of this dorsal tepal or lip, the spurs sometimes reduced to sacs, or even absent as in S. muticum. The generic name, Satyrium, refers to the pair of spurs, resembling goat horns but more appropriately referring to the mythical, horned satyrs of Greek mythology. The Satyrium name was, however, used earlier for other European orchids outside the Satyrium genus, plants that smell like goats.

There is a corollary involving the food of satyrs: They are reputed to have been orchid eaters, thereby enhancing their legendary sexual prowess. No orchid-eating satyrs have been spotted in southern Africa thus far.

The three sepals and two lateral petals of a Satyrium flower are all simple and often similar in structure. They are all fused at the base and often connected to the lip as well. The lateral sepals may be wider, while the lateral petals may have fringed margins. Flower colours range across shades of red, orange, yellow or white.

The gynostemium in the flower centre where the reproductive action takes place is erect with elongated, usually slender column. The parallel anther is pendent in front of the column, containing two pollinia. The stigma is usually ovate to square. The fruit capsule is elongate to ovoid.

There are about 93 species of Satyrium, 37 of them in southern Africa and 32 of which are found in the Cape Floristic Region. The rest grow in Africa, Madagascar and Asia.

The plant in picture is S. erectum photographed in the Biedouw Valley during September (Liltved and Johnson, 2012; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; Manning, 2007).