Disa roseovittata gesticulating petals

Seen obliquely, not quite a profile view, this flower of Disa roseovittata reveals the protruding orientation of its petals.

There are three petals in each flower: a pair of pink, angled lateral petals, each with a central dark pink line and the somewhat drooping, narrow white lip, also a petal, although a dissimilar one.

The lateral sepals are not lined like the petals, but fold in slightly along their centres. Flowering happens in summer when the grassland receives its rain. The flowers may exude a sweet, soapy scent (iSpot; www.orchidspecies.com).