Eulophia streptopetala

Eulophia streptopetala, the twisted-petal eulophia, produces a tall, many-flowered inflorescence and leaves up to 75 cm long. The leaves are not yet fully developed at anthesis (bloomtime).

A rare to common sight from the Eastern Cape to northeast Africa and southern Arabia, this ground orchid also grows in the Magaliesberg. This means that the species is adapted for life in the eastern part of the Cape Floristic Region, in summer rainfall thickets and forest margins of temperate to tropical regions, as well as in valleys of near desert climates to the north.

Well-known among indigenous populations, it is sometimes used as a protective and love charm in KwaZulu-Natal and maybe elsewhere (Liltved and Johnson, 2012; Pooley, 1998).