Disa purpurascens

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Disa purpurascens
Disa purpurascens00.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Genus: Disa
Species:
D. purpurascens
Binomial name
Disa purpurascens
Synonyms
  • Herschelia purpurascens (Bolus) Kraenzl.
  • Herschelianthe purpurascens (Bolus)

Disa purpurascens is a species of orchid found in South Africa (SW. Cape Prov.). It is also known as the early blue disa or the bloumoederkappie.

Description[]

Plants are 200–250 mm (7.9–9.8 in) tall, growing from a tuber with a length of about 30 mm (1.2 in) and a diameter of about 10 mm (0.39 in). About 10 narrow, rigid leaves, about half as tall as the plant, grow from a basal rosette. The base of the plant is often surrounded by a sheath of old leaf fibers.[1] This species flowers in October and November, producing an inflorescence of 1-7 sweetly scented flowers. Each flower has a blue hood and side wings, with a dark purple lip below. Yellow-green petals are found at the back of the hood. [2] While the flowers look similar to those of Disa graminifolia, they differ in having an upcurved lip margin and a conical spur. They also flower at different times of the year. [3] While there is generally very little variation between plants, some white flowers have been observed. This has been suggested to be a recessive condition.[1]

Distribution[]

This species has a fairly narrow distribution, growing in coastal regions between Cape Hangklip and Cape Agulhas. It is not thought to occur above 100 m (330 ft) above sea level.[1]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c Linder, H. P. (1981-11-10). "Taxonomic studies in the Disinae. VI. A revision of the genus Herschelia". Bothalia. 13 (3/4): 365–388. doi:10.4102/abc.v13i3/4.1325. ISSN 2311-9284.
  2. ^ Clarke, Hugh G. (2019). Wild flowers of the Cape Peninsula. Corinne Merry (3rd expanded ed.). Cape Town. ISBN 978-1-77584-640-6. OCLC 1124073483.
  3. ^ Manning, John (2012). Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region : 1: the core Cape flora. Peter Goldblatt, G. D. Duncan. Pretoria: South African National Biodiversity Institute, SANBI. ISBN 978-1-919976-74-7. OCLC 852384288.
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