Microcoelia exilis flowers

The flowers of Microcoelia exilis are the smallest of all orchid flowers naturally growing in South Africa. They grow in few to numerous yellow-green inflorescences, slender, arching and drooping, becoming from 6 cm to 12 cm long. The inflorescences emerge from below new roots. Exilis means thin, weak or meagre (Latin), probably referring to the inflorescence.

From 20 to 80 tiny white flowers may be found in one spike, a flower less than 2 mm in diameter. A brownish anther cap is visible in each flower centre. There is a spherical spur present, 1 mm in diameter.

Flowering may happen nearly throughout the year, mostly at the end of summer and early autumn.

The plant is easily cultivated. It is used as a love charm in some cultures, boiled to obtain a paint for arrows in some others (Pooley, 1998; www.zimbabweflora.co.zw).