Disa alticola leaves up the stem

The long, narrow leaves of Disa alticola overlap and may decrease in size up the stem. They sheathe the stem and taper to acutely pointed tips.

Bird-like white buds at the top of the short inflorescence already have their spurs prominently developed. The purplish, pointed tips of upper floral bracts protrude above the buds. The stalk of the flower spike is also purple (iSpot; Wikipedia; www.orchids.wikia.com).