Disa ferruginea

Disa ferruginea
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Orchidaceae
Subfamily:	Orchidoideae
Genus:	Disa
Species:	D. ferruginea
Binomial name
Disa ferruginea Sw.

Disa ferruginea is a stout, reed-like terrestrial 200–450 mm tall. Radical leaves linear, developing after flowering; cauline leaves dry, sheathing. Inflorescence dense, 1–40 flowered. Flowers bright red to orange, often with some parts yellow. Median sepal apiculate, galea 8–10 mm deep; spur slender, grading into the galea, 7–20 mm long; lateral sepals projecting away;elliptic to narrowly elliptic, with apiculi up to 4 mm long;petals spear-shaped, 5–7 mm long; lip narrowly egg- to spear-shaped, 10–12 mm long.

Distribution[]

The species is endemic to the South-Western Cape of South Africa. In fynbos vegetation.

Habitat[]

Occasional to common in dry to slightly damp localities, usually in the zone of the southeaster clouds, from 400 to 1,500 m. Pollinated by the mountain pride butterfly. Hybridizes very rarely with D.graminifolia. Flowers between February and March, stimulated by fire.

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