Disa cylindrica (Thunb.) Sw. 1800 SECTION Monadenia

Inflorescence in situ South Africa Photos by © Tyrone Genade

Plant and Flower in situ South Africa Photo by © Cameron McMaster

EARLY

Common Name The Cylindrical Disa

Flower Size 1/2" [1.25 cm]

Found in southernmost South Africa in damp, swampy areas in fynbos at eleavtions of near sea level to 1200 meters as a small to medium sized, cold growing terrestrial with an erect, short stem with 2 basal, hyaline, obtuse sheaths completely enveloped by cauline, lorate, erect, basally clasping leaves grading into bracts towards the terminal, cylindrical, many flowered inflorescence with bracts as long as the fragrant flowers which arise in th spring and early summer.

Synonyms Disa bracteata Lindl. 1838; Monadenia cylindrica (Thunb.) Szlach. 2003; *Satyrium cylindricum Thunb 1794

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list IPNI ; Encyclopedia of Cultivated Orchids Hawkes 1965; Wild Orchids of Southern Africa Stewart, Linder, Schelpe & Hall 1982 photo fide; Orchids of Southern Africa Linder & Kurzwell 1999 photo ok; A molecular phylogeny for the large African orchid genus Disa Bytebier 2006

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