Habenaria nyikana subsp. nyikana flowers being eaten

The inflorescence of Habenaria nyikana subsp. nyikana is many-flowered. The flowers spread along the slender stem in a cylindrical spike. They are green towards their extremities, white near the centres and delicately slender or spidery in shape. The flowers are fragrant after dark.

There are long, narrow bracts below each flower, green for only a short while. The sepals are swept backwards, reflexed. The lip is divided into three long, linear lobes. The lateral petals are two-lobed, the upper lobes small, narrow and erect, the lower ones spreading. The spur may be 3 cm long, inflated at its tip and twisting in the middle.

Flowers can be expected at the end of summer and early in autumn (www.zimbabweflora.co.zw).