Disa chrysostachya leaves

The Disa chrysostachya leaves below the inflorescence are not so clearly presented here, but the photo gives some idea of the leafy stem. There may be a leaf or two right at the base on the ground, often obscured by the grass. Three to five (but sometimes more) leaves clasp the thick, fleshy, annual stem.

The lanceolate leaves taper to acutely pointed tips, ascending close to the stem and overlapping tightly. If not damaged, they may later bend outwards and even down, showing the strong, whitish midribs. The leaves are up to 20 cm long and 1,6 cm wide low down (Manning, 2009; Pooley, 998; iNaturalist; JSTOR).