Records made by Nicholas Wightman

Chikanda is a local Zambian foodstuff made from the dried ground tubers of a range of terrestrial orchids in the genera Disa, Habenaria, Satyrium, Brachycorythis and Platycoryne

Cultivated at Dabuyu farms from material collected in Kalongosola village, Katete Distr., Eastern Province

Plants can often be found in areas prone to annual fires

Close up of the flower showing the green central band on each tepal

Bulb showing the fibrous neck.

Mature bulbs displaying long neck

The pure white flowers open about an hour after sunset.

By the first morning, the flowers have developed a slight pink tinge.

The inflorescence sometimes opens in succession leading to a contrast of the new and old flowers.

The infructescence develops quickly after fertilization producing sometimes dozens of seeds.

Seeds are irregular in shape due to their development and can range from pea-sized to over 1cm across.

Growing in small open/deciduous patches within Itigi thicket in sandy loam soil

Growing amid grasses in sandy loam soil

Growing in open miombo woodland in sandy loam soils

Growing in disturbed miombo woodland in sandy loam soils

Growing in open, hot areas of savannah grassland in sandy loam soils

In low rocky outcrop in miombo woodland growing in sandy loam soil

Tubers appear to be stoloniferous in habit

The fleshy roots emerge from a short rhizome

Clumped habit

Single habit

The collection of this specimen is the first record of the species for Zambia

Growing in exposed rocky outcrops amid grasses in sandy soil

Erect shrubs c. 2-3 m tall growing in seasonally dry ravines in lake basin chipya woodland near landfill site

Growing on periphery of large rocky outcrop of miombo woodland in sandy loam soil

Growing on periphery of large rocky outcrop of miombo woodland in sandy loam soil

Growing on flood prone riverbanks along the Lukulu R. in sandy to clayish soils

Cultivated at Dabuyu Farms, Plot 67, Farm 401a Lilayi, Lusaka

Mature bulbs are loose with easily separated scales (which can be used for propagation) though they produce enough seed that it is usually not needed

The inflorescence appears in July to August as the cool dry season transitions into the hot dry season.

The linear leaves appear with the arrival of the rains and are an attractive bluish green colour.

The black papery winged seeds ripen before the rains and are wind distributed.

Original location:Lat:-13.306722, Long:25.086128 Zambian prov. Nw, Altitude:1190

Occasional component of woodland understorey growing amongst grasses, sedges and forbs in loam soils.

Growing on the periphery of large termitaria in clay loam

Growing in shade of a small copse of trees within the dambo

Growing in disturbed miombo woodland in sandy loam soils

Growing in riverside grassland edge amidst Pandanus livingstonianus

Cultivated at Dabuyu Farms, Plot 67, Farm 401a Lilayi, Lusaka

Growing naturally on Dabuyu Farms, Lusaka Distr., Lusaka Province

Growing naturally on Dabuyu Farms, Lusaka Distr., Lusaka Province

Cultivated at Dabuyu Farms from material collected on Shantumbu Rd., Lilayi, Lusaka Province

Flowers usually open singulary on each branch.

Growing naturally at Dabuyu Farms in lightly shaded areas of munga woodland

Growing on edge of material quarry used for roads and rail construction

Tubers of this species are possibly used in the preparation of a local Zambian dish called Chikanda with wild populations threatened by overharvesting.

Tubers of this species are possibly used in the preparation of a local Zambian dish called Chikanda with wild populations threatened by overharvesting.

Tubers of this species are used in the preparation of a local Zambian dish called Chikanda with wild populations threatened by overharvesting.

Growing in exposed rocky outcrops amid grasses in sandy soil

Plant found growing near a seepage area by farm roadside

Growing in miombo woodland in sandy loam soils

Growing on rock cliff beside Muzinga Falls

Growing in submerged sections of riverside dambo

Growing in miombo woodland in sandy clay loam soils

Growing on upper reached of sand dune among Crinum papilllosum and Trachyandra arvensis

Mottled and solid green leaved plants growing together in habitat

Close up of the dense inflorescence

Growing in riverside grassland and sprawling over rocky outcrops

Growing in dry disturbed rocky grassland beside the Nkamba airstrip in Nsumbu National Park

Growing in ruderal roadside margins of heavily grazed open woodland in sandy loam soil

Growing in open patches amid short grasses and amongst rocky outcrops in sandy loam to sandy soil

Leaves: contrast of the upper (above) and lower (below) leaf surfaces.

Leaves: contrast of the upper (above) and lower (below) leaf surfaces.

Growing in dense shade of Itigi thicket in sandy loam to clay loam soils

Growing on rail line track bed beside the rails in ballast gravel

Growing in disturbed ground beside old sandy quarry.

Growing at base of rock cliff beside Muzinga Falls in sandy loam to clay loam soils

Old bulbs have a rhizomatous nature as they grow from which sometimes offset bulbs can develop.

The blooms of Scadoxus multiflorus subsp. multiflorus being pollinated by a species of sunbird.

Growing in open rocky woodland/grassland in sandy loam soils

Growing in rocky lakeside grassland and lakeshore by Lake Tanganyika in sandy loam to sandy soils

Growing in small soil pockets and crevices of rocky riverine stream bed

Growing on rail line track bed beside the rails in ballast gravel

Growing in patches of woodland floor in floodplain prone area of Mulungshi river tributary stream

Growing in open areas of miombo woodland in sandy loam soils

Growing on upper reached of sand dune among Crinum papilllosum and Lapeirousia caudata

Growing along the margins of Brachystegia woodlands and tall grasslands in sandy loam soils

Growing in rocky lakeside grassland by Lake Tanganyika in sandy loam to sandy soils

Growing on rail line track bed between the rails in ballast gravel

Nodding flowers are often half hidden under the foliage

Mature warty seeds and adventitious stem tuber on senescenced shoot.

Growing in miombo woodland in sandy clay loam soils