Disa brevicornis

Disa brevicornis is a tuberous perennial with annual regrowth of its above-ground parts to heights ranging from 20 cm to 50 cm.

The narrowly lance-shaped leaves are longest at the base of the stem, becoming 15 cm. They decrease in size up the stem, sometimes red on their margins that are entire and taper to acutely pointed tips.

The species distribution of this orchid is large and diverse, ranging from the southern Cape near Knysna and the Eastern Cape to tropical Malawi. The habitat is mainly open grassland and some fynbos in the south.

South Africa has about 130 indigenous species of disas. The genus has 180 species overall. All of them grow in Africa, Arabia and some Indian Ocean islands, including Madagascar (www.pacificbulbsociety.org).