Disa purpurascens

Disa purpurascens
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Orchidaceae
Subfamily:	Orchidoideae
Genus:	Disa
Species:	D. purpurascens
Binomial name
	Disa purpurascens; Bolus
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[]

^ ^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.
^ 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.
^ 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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[:0-1] 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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