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Disa versicolor
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Photo: Bart Wursten
Saddle between Nhamedimu and Mt Binga, Chimanimani National Park.
Photo: Bart Wursten
Saddle between Nhamedimu and Mt Binga, Chimanimani National Park.
Photo: Bart Wursten
Saddle between Nhamedimu and Mt Binga, Chimanimani National Park.
Photo: Bart Wursten
Saddle between Nhamedimu and Mt Binga, Chimanimani National Park.
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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)
| Synonyms: |
Disa hemisphaerophora Rchb. f. Disa macowanii Rchb. f. |
| Common names: | |
| Frequency: | Locally frequent |
| Status: | Native |
| Description: |
Terrestrial herb, 30 - 50 cm. Flowering stem with sheathing leaves; foliage leaves 3 to 5, on a separate sterile shoot. Inflorescence very dense, many-flowered, up to 20 cm long, the bracts often drying black. Flowers mostly pointing downwards, varying from nearly white to deep pink purple and scarlet, lip up to 5.5 mm long, strap-shaped. |
| Notes: | South African plants of this species have a differnt flower colour and look very different to the plants in the border highlands of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It has been suggested (FZ 11(1): 185) that our material may be Disa maculomarronina McMurtry |
| Derivation of specific name: | versicolor: variously coloured or changing in colour |
| Habitat: | On rocky slopes in montane grassland. |
| Altitude range: | 1650 - 2240 m |
| Flowering time: | Dec - Feb |
| Worldwide distribution: | Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Angola and South Africa. |
| Mozambique distribution: | MS |
| Growth form(s): | Terrestrial. |
| Endemic status: | |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Content last updated: | Tuesday 9 August 2022 |
| Literature: |
Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 22. Fabian, A. & Germishuizen, G. (1997). Wild Flowers of Northern South Africa. Fernwood Press, Vlaeburg. Pages 114 - 115. Drawing of quite different looking South African material (Includes a picture). Fibeck, W. & Dare, M. (1993). Terrestrial Orchids in Zimbabwe. Excelsa 16 Page 56. Grosvenor, R.K. (1976). A list of orchids indigenous in Rhodesia. Excelsa 6 Page 80. La Croix, I. & Cribb, P.J. (1995). Orchidaceae (Part 1) Flora Zambesiaca 11(1) Pages 184 - 185. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 95. McMurtry, D., Grobler, L., Grobler, J. & Burns, S. (2008). Field Guide to the ORCHIDS of Northern South Africa and Swaziland Umdaus Press, PO Box 11059 Hatfield 0028 South Africa Pages 178 - 179. Photos of quite different looking South African material (Includes a picture). Schelpe, E.A.C.L.E. (1976). A Provisional Checklist of the Orchidaceae of Mozambique South African Journal of Botany 42(4) Page 390. Summerhayes, V.S. (1964). African orchids XXIX Kew Bulletin 17(3) Pages 547 - 549. Wursten, B., Timberlake, J. & Darbyshire, I. (2017). The Chimanimani Mountains: an updated checklist. Kirkia 19(1) Page 84. |
Other sources of information about Disa versicolor:
Our websites:
Flora of Zimbabwe: Disa versicolorExternal websites:
African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Disa versicolorAfrican Plant Database: Disa versicolor
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Disa versicolor
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Disa versicolor
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Disa versicolor
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Disa versicolor
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Disa versicolor
JSTOR Plant Science: Disa versicolor
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Disa versicolor
Plants of the World Online: Disa versicolor
Tropicos: Disa versicolor
Wikipedia: Disa versicolor
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