Habenaria galpinii

Habenaria galpinii is a slender, medium-sized terrestrial orchid growing annual above-ground parts from one to several large, elongated subterranean tubers. The four to seven sheathing, channelled leaves are large near the base, grading into the small bracts higher up that subtend the flowers and taper to acutely pointed tips.

The species distribution in South Africa lies in all the provinces north of the Vaal River and in Zimbabwe, possibly also further to the north. The habitat is grassland along streambanks and on stony slopes at elevations from 1400 m to 1800 m. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (Lowrey and Wright, 1987; iSpot; www.orchidspecies.com; www.redlist.sanbi.org).