Disperis tysonii

Disperis tysonii is a terrestrial or ground orchid. The perennial tuber produces an annual flower stalk of about 25 cm. The plants grow three to six alternate, stem-clasping ovate to lanceolate leaves that reduce in size up the stalk. The pink or lilac flowers become about 1,5 cm wide. The upper sepal is helmet-shaped, the lateral sepals taper to unusually shaped, acute tips.

Disperis means twice pouched, referring to the small hollows in the two lateral sepals. This feature characterises the genus. About 84 species of Disperis are found in Africa and Asia, nearly a third of them in South Africa (Letty, 1962).