Satyrium macrophyllum
Lindl.
Pink-head orchid
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Summary
Source: WikipediaSatyrium macrophyllum is a species of orchid occurring from Kenya to South Africa.
Description
A herb. It is an orchid that grows in the soil. It grows 15-80 cm high. There are 6-10 leaves. The lowest ones form a sheath. The higher leaves are 24 cm long by 8 cm wide. The flowering stalks are 22 cm long. There are many flowers. The flowers are pink. The tubers are 2.5 cm long by 1 cm wide. They are oval.
Edible Uses
The tubers are peeled, washed, and cooked like potatoes, or peeled, pounded into flour, fermented, and baked into cakes. The tubers and cakes are sold in local markets.
Traditional Uses
The tubers are peeled and washed and then cooked and eaten like potatoes. They are also peeled and pounded and the flour fermented and then baked into cakes.
Known Hazards
Over-collecting has placed the plant at risk.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. In South Africa, it grows in grassland and woodland between 1,000-1,940 m above sea level. In Tanzania it grows between 1,200-2,900 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Africa, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zimbabwe,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from tubers.
Propagation
Seed - Division of tubers.
Production
Tubers are dug up during and soon after the rainy season. Tubers can be stored for several months if kept cool and dry.
Other Information
Tubers and cakes are sold in local markets.
Notes
Over collecting has meant that the plant is at risk.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Chikande, Kikande, Nyamachebele, Nyamasebele, Uklamkleshe, Unoklamu
References (4)
- Long, C., 2005, Swaziland's Flora - siSwati names and Uses http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora/
- Ruffo, C. K., Birnie, A. & Tengnas, B., 2002, Edible Wild Plants of Tanzania. RELMA p 588
- Ruiters-Welcome, A. K., 2019, Food plants of southern Africa. Ph.D. thesis. Univ. of Johannesburg p 84
- Welcome, A. K. & Van Wyk, B.-E., 2019, An inventory and analysis of the food plants of southern Africa. South African Journal of Botany 122 (2019) 136–179
