Disa fragrans

Disa fragrans is a terrestrial orchid occurring widespread from the Eastern Cape to Limpopo along the eastern parts of South Africa into tropical Africa, as far as Ethiopia.

The broadly ovate basal (or radical) leaves clutch the stem, as do the smaller cauline ones higher up. Longitudinal vein lines are visible on the leaves in the photo, nearly parallel and slightly recessed upon the upper surfaces. There are also scattered purple spot and transversal line markings upon the leaves.

These plants produce a second, sterile stem carrying leaves only.

The emerging inflorescence in the centre of the leaf rosette promises many flowers. Their buds are arranged in a neat and compact geometric pattern at this stage.

The flowers of D. fragrans are fragrant. They present an unusually wide range of flower colours, ranging from yellow and orange to brown and pink, also white (Pooley, 1998; www.zimbabweflora.co.za).