Habenaria nyikana subsp. nyikana flower

The Habenaria nyikana subsp. nyikana flower parts appear fleshy in the photo. The dorsal sepal at the top has glistening surface cells along its concave, white inner surface.

The lip below is white near the base of all three its lobes, green lower down. Above it the dark sticky pads of the female flower part effectively uses green as the contrasting colour for guiding pollinators. Habenaria flowers don’t have many colour options other than white, green or sometimes a little yellow to market their offerings.

The two pairs of lateral petal lobes are white, the lower ones spreading to the sides and tapering to their tips. They are bigger than the upper two, positioned slightly in front of the dorsal sepal in this flower. Habenaria upper petal lobes often form a frame to the dorsal sepal (www.orchidspecies.com).