Disa erubescens

Rendle

Orchidaceae Edible: Flower nectar, Tuber, Root 59 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Disa erubescens is a perennial plant and geophyte belonging to the genus Disa. The plant is native to Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. There are two subspecies: Disa erubescens subsp. carsonii (N.E.Br.) H.P.Linder Disa erubescens subsp. erubescens

Description

An orchid that grows in the ground. It grows 90 cm high. It has slender tubers 3 cm long by 1.5 cm wide. There are leaves on separate non flowering shoots and these are narrow and 30 cm long. The leaves on the flowering shoots aee sword shaped and 3-8 cm long. The flowering stalk can be 19 cm long. There are 3-10 flowers. They are arranged loosely. They are orange or red.

Edible Uses

The flower nectar, tubers, and roots are edible.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in upland poorly drained pastures. It grows between 1,800-2,400 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Africa, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Synonyms

Disa erubescens Rendle var. leucantha Schltr.

Also Known As

Liseku

References (6)

Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 4. Kew.
Challe, J., et al, 2009, Endangered edible orchids and vulnerable gatherers in the contxt of HIV/AIDS in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 5:41
Fowler, D. G., 2007, Zambian Plants: Their Vernacular Names and Uses. Kew. p 86
Hamisy, W. C., 2007, Development of Conservation Strategies for the Wild Edible Orchid in Tanzania. National Plant Genetic Resources Centre. Arusha, Tanzania. p 12
Mapunda, L. N. D., Edible Orchids in Makete district, the Southern Highlands of Tanzania: Swedish Biodiversity Centre. CBM Master's Thesis.

Show all 6 references