Habenaria anguiceps

Habenaria anguiceps is a tuberous perennial growing annually from its oblong to ovoid tuber. The erect, leafy stem reaches about 20 cm in height. The leaves are sessile, i.e. stalkless. They are lance-shaped to oblong, fleshy and decreasing in size up the stem to the point where they become bracts among the flowers. These bracts retain their ascending orientation with notably pointed tips to the top of the flower spike.

The plant grows in Drakensberg grassland of the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal, as well as in the Eastern Cape where it is also found nearer the coast at higher elevations. This specimen was photographed near Qacha’s Nek (iSpot; JSTOR; www.orchidspecies.com).