Disa stachyoides

Disa stachyoides is a small, stiffly erect terrestrial orchid of dry, montane grassland, reaching heights around 30 cm. The purple flowers with white lips grow in spikes that become up to 10 cm long.

Now in vibrant, verdant form, this vegetation will in a few months be tinder-dry from lack of rain, cold and the end of some plant part functionality. All, or almost all of it ready for consumption by winter fire. Such fires have become too frequent in South African grasslands for the wellbeing of many species.

D. stachyoides is an herbaceous plant that gains perennial status or seasonal survival from winter fire by means of its tuberous rootstock. The tubers, ensconced safely underground, bide their time for sending annual consignments of food producing leaves and reproductive flower components into the upper world where the sun will make them more (Pooley, 1998; Onderstall, 1984; www.sntc.org.sz).