Disa ferruginea

Disa ferruginea, the cluster disa, is a slender, grass-like perennial, a terrestrial orchid reaching heights between 20 cm and 45 cm. Flowering of this plant is enhanced by fire, not dependent upon it.

The flower stalk is sparsely leafy, the cauline leaves decreasing up the stem are small, tapering narrowly to their tips.

The specific name ferruginea is derived from the Latin words ferreum meaning iron and -geneus meaning of a particular kind, referring to the flower colour.

The species distribution is in the southern coastal and slightly inland parts of the Western Cape, from the Cape Peninsula to Albertinia.

The habitat is montane, fynbos-covered sandstone slopes. The species is not considered threatened in habitat early in the twenty first century (Liltved and Johnson, 2012; Bean and Johns, 2005; www.redlist.sanbi.org).