Disa patula var. patula

Disa patula var. patula is a terrestrial orchid growing from a tuberous rootstock. Patula means spreading or extended, maybe referring to the lateral sepals that extend forwards and outwards, but more likely to the shape and position of both lip and spur.

The plant is found in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, as well as in Lesotho and Swaziland. The distribution in montane grassland is slightly more southerly than the other variation, D. patula var. transvaalensis that reaches at least Zimbabwe as well (iSpot; www.zimbabweflora.co.zw).