Satyrium erectum

This is one of the satyr orchids, some of which are called trewwas in Afrikaans. Satyrium erectum is winter growing. It flowers in late winter and early spring, becoming summer deciduous. Annual regrowth emerges from the large, fleshy tuber that produces a sturdy, erect flower stem.

Two conspicuous, broadly oval leaves are pressed to the ground. Some smaller ones occur along the stem.

The distribution is coastal and inland in the Western Cape and into the Northern Cape and the Eastern Cape.

The habitat is sandstone and clayey flats. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (Manning, 2009; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; http://redlist.sanbi.org).