189 Species in Genus Disa

The Disa Orchid: A South African Gem

My name is Ferb Vu, and I’m fascinated by the Disa genus of orchids. These captivating plants, primarily native to South Africa, boast a diverse array of forms and colors that make them a favorite among orchid enthusiasts and botanists alike.

A Diverse Genus

The Disa genus is a member of the Orchidaceae family, comprising over 180 recognized species. While most Disa species are terrestrial, growing in soil, some are epiphytic, growing on trees or rocks. This diversity in habitat is mirrored in the variety of their floral displays. Some species, like the iconic Disa uniflora, produce large, vibrant red flowers, while others, like Disa sagittalis, have smaller, more delicate blooms. This incredible diversity is a testament to the genus’s adaptability and evolutionary success.

Disa Species

Here are:

1. Disa uniflora: Often called the “Pride of Table Mountain,” this species is renowned for its striking red flowers and is a popular choice for cultivation.
2. Disa cardinalis: This species features bright red flowers with a distinctive yellow lip, making it a sought-after addition to orchid collections.
3. Disa crassicornis: Known for its long, spur-like petals, this species attracts pollinators with its unique floral structure.
4. Disa racemosa: This species produces a tall inflorescence with multiple pink to purple flowers, creating a beautiful display.
5. Disa sagittalis: This species has smaller, hooded flowers that come in various colors, including white, pink, and purple.
6. Disa tripetaloides: This species is easily recognizable by its three prominent petals, which can be pink, purple, or white.
7. Disa aconitoides Sond.
8. Disa aemula Bolus
9. Disa aequiloba Summerh.
10. Disa afra Bolus
11. Disa albomagentea E.G.H.Oliv. & Liltved
12. Disa alinae Szlach.
13. Disa alticola H.P.Linder
14. Disa amoena H.P.Linder
15. Disa andringitrana Schltr.
16. Disa aperta N.E.Br.
17. Disa arida Vlok
18. Disa aristata H.P.Linder
19. Disa atricapilla (Harv. ex Lindl.) Bolus
20. Disa atrorubens Schltr.
21. Disa aurata (Bolus) L.T.Parker & Koop.
22. Disa barbata (L.f.) Sw.
23. Disa basutorum Schltr.
24. Disa baurii Bolus
25. Disa begleyi L.Bolus
26. Disa bifida (Thunb.) Sw.
27. Disa biflora (L.) Druce
28. Disa bivalvata (L.f.) T.Durand & Schinz
29. Disa bodkinii Bolus
30. Disa bolusiana Schltr.
31. Disa borbonica Balf.f. & S.Moore
32. Disa brachyceras Lindl.
33. Disa bracteata Sw.
34. Disa × brendae H.P.Linder
35. Disa brevicornis (Lindl.) Bolus
36. Disa brevipetala H.P.Linder
37. Disa buchenaviana Kraenzl.
38. Disa caulescens Lindl.
39. Disa cedarbergensis H.P.Linder
40. Disa celata Summerh.
41. Disa cephalotes Rchb.f.
42. Disa cernua (Thunb.) Sw.
43. Disa chimanimaniensis (H.P.Linder) H.P.Linder
44. Disa chrysostachya Sw.
45. Disa clavicornis H.P.Linder
46. Disa cochlearis S.D.Johnson & Liltved
47. Disa comosa (Rchb.f.) Schltr.
48. Disa conferta Bolus
49. Disa cooperi Rchb.f.
50. Disa cornuta (L.) Sw.
51. Disa cryptantha Summerh.
52. Disa cylindrica (Thunb.) Sw.
53. Disa danielae Geerinck
54. Disa densiflora (Lindl.) Bolus
55. Disa dichroa Summerh.
56. Disa dracomontana Schelpe ex H.P.Linder
57. Disa draconis (L.f.) Sw.
58. Disa ecalcarata (G.J.Lewis) H.P.Linder
59. Disa elegans Sond. ex Rchb.f.
60. Disa eminii Kraenzl.
61. Disa engleriana Kraenzl.
62. Disa equestris Rchb.f.
63. Disa erubescens Rendle
64. Disa esterhuyseniae Schelpe ex H.P.Linder
65. Disa extinctoria Rchb.f.
66. Disa facula P.J.Cribb, C.Herrm. & Sebsebe
67. Disa fasciata Lindl.
68. Disa ferruginea Sw.
69. Disa filicornis (L.f.) Thunb.
70. Disa flexuosa (L.) Sw.
71. Disa forcipata Schltr.
72. Disa forficaria Bolus
73. Disa fragrans Schltr.
74. Disa galpinii Rolfe
75. Disa gladioliflora Burch. ex Lindl.
76. Disa glandulosa Burch. ex Lindl.
77. Disa graminifolia Ker Gawl. ex Spreng.
78. Disa hallackii Rolfe
79. Disa harveyana Lindl.
80. Disa hians (L.f.) Spreng.
81. Disa hircicornis Rchb.f.
82. Disa incarnata Lindl.
83. Disa inflexa (Lindl.) Mundt ex Bolus
84. Disa intermedia H.P.Linder
85. Disa introrsa Kurzweil, Liltved & H.P.Linder
86. Disa karooica S.D.Johnson & H.P.Linder
87. Disa katangensis De Wild.
88. Disa klugei McMurtry
89. Disa linderiana Bytebier & E.G.H.Oliv.
90. Disa lineata Bolus
91. Disa lisowskii Szlach.
92. Disa longicornu L.f.
93. Disa longifolia Lindl.
94. Disa longilabris Schltr.
95. Disa longipetala (Lindl.) Bolus
96. Disa lugens Bolus
97. Disa macrostachya (Lindl.) Bolus
98. Disa maculata L.f.
99. Disa maculomarronina McMurtry
100. Disa marlothii Bolus
101. Disa micropetala Schltr.
102. Disa miniata Summerh.
103. Disa minor (Sond.) Rchb.f.
104. Disa montana Sond.
105. Disa multifida Lindl.
106. Disa neglecta Sond.
107. Disa nervosa Lindl.
108. Disa newdigateae L.Bolus
109. Disa nigerica Rolfe
110. Disa nivea H.P.Linder
111. Disa nubigena H.P.Linder
112. Disa × nuwebergensis H.P.Linder
113. Disa nyikensis H.P.Linder
114. Disa obliqua (Lindl.) Bolus
115. Disa obtusa Lindl.
116. Disa ocellata Bolus
117. Disa ochrostachya Rchb.f.
118. Disa oligantha Rchb.f.
119. Disa ophrydea (Lindl.) Bolus
120. Disa oreophila Bolus
121. Disa ornithantha Schltr.
122. Disa ovalifolia Sond.
123. Disa × paludicola J.Stewart & J.C.Manning
124. Disa patula Sond.
125. Disa perplexa H.P.Linder
126. Disa physodes Sw.
127. Disa pillansii L.Bolus
128. Disa polygonoides Lindl.
129. Disa porrecta Sw.
130. Disa praecox (H.P.Linder) H.P.Linder
131. Disa procera H.P.Linder
132. Disa pulchella Hochst. ex A.Rich.
133. Disa pulchra Sond.
134. Disa purpurascens Bolus
135. Disa pygmaea Bolus
136. Disa remota H.P.Linder
137. Disa renziana Szlach.
138. Disa reticulata Bolus
139. Disa rhodantha Schltr.
140. Disa richardiana Lehm. ex Bolus
141. Disa robusta N.E.Br.
142. Disa roeperocharoides Kraenzl.
143. Disa rosea Lindl.
144. Disa roseovittata McMurtry & G.McDonald
145. Disa rufescens (Thunb.) Sw.
146. Disa rungweensis Schltr.
147. Disa sabulosa Bolus
148. Disa salteri G.J.Lewis
149. Disa sanguinea Sond.
150. Disa sankeyi Rolfe
151. Disa satyriopsis Kraenzl.
152. Disa saxicola Schltr.
153. Disa schizodioides Sond.
154. Disa schlechteriana Bolus
155. Disa scullyi Bolus
156. Disa scutellifera A.Rich.
157. Disa similis Summerh.
158. Disa spathulata (L.f.) Sw.
159. Disa stachyoides Rchb.f.
160. Disa staerkeriana McMurtry & Bytebier
161. Disa stairsii Kraenzl.
162. Disa stricta Sond.
163. Disa subtenuicornis H.P.Linder
164. Disa telipogonis Rchb.f.
165. Disa tenella (L.f.) Sw.
166. Disa tenuicornis Bolus
167. Disa tenuifolia Sw.
168. Disa tenuis Lindl.
169. Disa thodei Schltr. ex Kraenzl.
170. Disa triloba Lindl.
171. Disa tysonii Bolus
172. Disa ukingensis Schltr.
173. Disa uncinata Bolus
174. Disa vaginata Harv. ex Lindl.
175. Disa vasselotii Bolus ex Schltr.
176. Disa venosa Sw.
177. Disa venusta Bolus
178. Disa verdickii De Wild.
179. Disa versicolor Rchb.f.
180. Disa vigilans McMurtry & T.J.Edwards
181. Disa virginalis H.P.Linder
182. Disa × vogelpoelii (H.P.Linder) Bytebier
183. Disa walleri Rchb.f.
184. Disa walteri Schltr.
185. Disa welwitschii Rchb.f.
186. Disa woodii Schltr.
187. Disa zimbabweensis H.P.Linder
188. Disa zombica N.E.Br.
189. Disa zuluensis Rolfe

The Appeal of Disa Orchids

The allure of Disa orchids lies not only in their beauty but also in the challenges they present to cultivators. Many Disa species require specific environmental conditions to thrive, making them a rewarding pursuit for dedicated orchid growers. The intricate pollination mechanisms of some Disa species, often involving specific insect or bird pollinators, further add to their fascination.

Conservation Efforts

Unfortunately, habitat loss and over-collection threaten several Disa species. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these unique orchids and their fragile ecosystems. These efforts include habitat restoration, propagation programs, and raising public awareness about the importance of orchid conservation.

My Personal Connection

I find Disa orchids captivating due to their unique beauty and the challenges they present in cultivation. Their diversity in form and color is a testament to the wonders of nature, and their resilience in the face of environmental pressures is inspiring. I believe that appreciating and conserving these botanical treasures is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and preserving our natural heritage.

Looking Ahead

As an admirer of Disa orchids, I am eager to see continued research and conservation efforts focused on this remarkable genus. I believe that by understanding and protecting these orchids, we can ensure that future generations can enjoy their beauty and ecological significance.