Botanical name
Disa ophrydeaFamily
OrchidaceaeDescription
Plants slender up to 40cm, suffused with beetroot-red. Leaves green and narrowly-lanceolate. Inflorescence lax, up to 30cm long, flowers beetroot-red; lateral sepals spreading paler in colour, often yellow or white. Spur slender and acute, 20-24mm long. Lip narrow, fleshy 8-10mm long.
Species most likely pollinated by settling moths which are attracted by the rich cinnamon scent emitted in the evening.
Habitat
Dry to moist, sandy to gravelly, south-facing mountain slopes .
Flower Date
September to November, mostly after fire