Southern KZN CREW target species of the month - December

Disa scullyi  ORCHIDACEAE [Endangered]

Slender plant about 500 mm tall. It is found in swampy areas in the midlands and in Mphendle and Estcourt. There are 6-15 cauline leaves on fertile shoots, 2-4 leaves on sterile shoots, upright and usually folded together lengthwise. Petals upright, twisted to face forward, closing the spur entrance. Flowers spreading, facing down at about 45 degrees, pink or white with green lip and scentless. It flowers in December to February. Threats are habitat loss, disturbance from forestry plantations, competition from alien invasive plants and development.

Disa scullyi (Photo: I Johnson)

Disa scullyi (Photo: I Johnson)

If you have seen this plant, please contact Suvarna Parbhoo, CREW programme: KZN Node Manager s.parbhoo@sanbi.org.za

Reference:

Linder H.P & Kurzweil H. 1999. Orchids of Southern Africa: 218. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Johnson, S, Bytebier, B. 2015. Orchids of South Africa – A Field Guide: 237. Struik Nature, Cape Town, South Africa. 

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Asclepias disparilis APOCYNACEAE  [Vulnerable]

Plant 100–200 mm high, branching at base, harshly and thinly hairy. It is found in mistbelt and coastal grassland at altitudes from 300 - 900 m, distributed in Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal from Creighton to Umtamvuna Nature Reserve. Leaves are broad, no hairs on both sides or with a few short stiff hairs on the midrib beneath, leaves sharp tipped and slightly hastate at the base. Flower umbel (Inflorescence with branches) solitary on each branch, terminal, upright and 4-8 flowered. It is said to flower in December. Corolla (floral organ) lobes very spreading, no hairs on back, velvet-like surface on inner face, pale purplish. Petals (second floral whorl) are mauve-grey with pinkish-red venation. Its threats are habitat loss due to crop cultivation, forest plantations and ongoing habitat degradation because of livestock overgrazing. 

Asclepias disparillas (Photo: D Styles)

Asclepias disparillas (Photo: D Styles)

If you have seen this plant, please contact Mbali Mkhize, CREW programme: KZN Node Project Assistant m.mkhize@botanicalsociety.org.za

References:

Brown N.E. 1908, Flora Capensis (Harvey) 4(1, 5): 680.
Nicholas, A., Scott-Shaw, C.R. & Victor, J.E. 2005. Asclepias disparilis N.E.Br. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2015.1. Accessed on 2015/11/25