Satyrium cristatum habitat

The habitat of Satyrium cristatum varies over the large area in which these plants grow in nature. This is mostly moist or marshy grassland at elevations up to 2000 m. Both varieties of S. cristatum are still considered free of threat in their partly shared distributions early in the twenty first century.

Strong colour contrast characterises the inflorescence in this photo: the pale, faintly spotted flowers against the lilac of the large, reflexed bracts pointing down among them.

A third inflorescence, barely showing its tip at the base of the picture, has erect, green bracts still folding over their buds (Pooley, 1998; Manning, 2009; www.africanorchids.dk; www.redlist.sanbi.org).