Habenaria anguiceps

The grassland biome is the biggest of the nine South African biomes. It covers about one third of the country. By biome is meant a large ecological community of plants and animals adapted to a sustainable existence in the given set of conditions, living off the resources found there.

Grasslands are great for water collection by preventing run-off. They are also vital to curbing climate change via carbon sequestration especially by the grass roots in the top layer of soil, as the above-ground grassy component comes and goes seasonally.

Orchid species form a notable part of the geophytes found in southern African grasslands. This Habenaria anguiceps, a resident of sour grass-veld, was seen near Qacha’s Nek in January (www.eiatoolkit.ewt.org.za).