Habenaria nyikana subsp. nyikana buds

The buds of Habenaria nyikana subsp. nyikana have a curious shape, seen here in profile. The bracts around the ovaries are already brown and withered in some cases, while their flowers have not yet opened.

The ovaries are straight on these flowers (or at this early stage). If one looks carefully, the spurs are already in position, mainly obscured by the ovaries.

The above-ground parts of H. nyikana subsp. nyikana grow annually from very hairy, ellipsoid tubers (www.orchidspecies.com).