Satyrium species nova

Satyrium species nova is an exciting recent find (2010), probably truly a new orchid species, discovered by Francois Krige in the Wolkberg area between Polokwane and Tzaneen in the Limpopo Province. The white and pink flower found in bloom for the first time on 25 September 2010 resembles S. sphaerocarpum, an orchid known to grow only on the east coast from Transkei to Mozambique and at much lower altitudes. The coastal Satyrium also appears different, especially as regards the shape of the stamens.

Confirmation of the plant being a Satyrium is being investigated from bulb tissue material, as all the above-ground material had disappeared by the time of a second visit in November, suggesting that the plant’s annual growth cycle concludes before the summer rainy season.