Disa saxicola

Disa saxicola, sometimes commonly referred to as the lithophytic disa, is an orchid, a slender perennial herb growing to 40 cm in height.

The specific name, saxicola, divulges something about the plant’s position in nature, living on rocks: saxum means rock in Latin, colo to inhabit (one of the word’s meanings). The plant is found on rocks among moss, in rock crevices or on ledges, often in partial shade as it may be available in montane grassland. The plant may trail, depending on the rocky perch that had become its position in life. The photo was taken in the Verloren Vallei Reserve of Mpumalanga during January.

The distribution lies in the east of southern Africa, from KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo to Tanzania and Malawi at altitudes ranging between 1600 m and 2400 m.

The species that used to be called D. uliginosa is not considered threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (Pooley, 1998; http://orchids.wikia.com; www.redlist.sanbi.org).