Orchids of Southern Africa: taxonomy habitats and distribution

Kurzwell H., . (2005) Orchids of Southern Africa: taxonomy habitats and distribution. [Proceedings Paper]

Southern Africa has one of the richest orchid floras in the temperate zone with 469 species recorded in 53 genera. Most of the southern African orchids are slender terrestrial herbs with underground root tubers or corms and many have small flowers which are frequently very complicated in their structure. The largest genus is Disa with well over a hundred species the large-flowered D. uniflora with its brilliant red or orange-red flowers is probably among the most spectacular ground orchids in the world. A remarkable feature of the orchids of the subcontinent is the high incidence of endermism which is also found in other flowering plant families of the region. Apart from many endemics there are also several widespread species and their geographical affinities to different parts of Africa and the rest of the world are discussed. Extensive research over the last twenty-five years has resulted in a new classification of tribe Diseae the largest in the southern African orchid flora. The different biomes where the southern African orchids are found include fynbos forest grassland savanna and succulent karoo. In fynbos and grassland previous veld fires stimulate the flowering of many terrestrial species.

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Abstract

Southern Africa has one of the richest orchid floras in the temperate zone with 469 species recorded in 53 genera. Most of the southern African orchids are slender terrestrial herbs with underground root tubers or corms and many have small flowers which are frequently very complicated in their structure. The largest genus is Disa with well over a hundred species the large-flowered D. uniflora with its brilliant red or orange-red flowers is probably among the most spectacular ground orchids in the world. A remarkable feature of the orchids of the subcontinent is the high incidence of endermism which is also found in other flowering plant families of the region. Apart from many endemics there are also several widespread species and their geographical affinities to different parts of Africa and the rest of the world are discussed. Extensive research over the last twenty-five years has resulted in a new classification of tribe Diseae the largest in the southern African orchid flora. The different biomes where the southern African orchids are found include fynbos forest grassland savanna and succulent karoo. In fynbos and grassland previous veld fires stimulate the flowering of many terrestrial species.

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Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
Additional Information:	Summary En
AGROVOC Term:	Orchidaceae
AGROVOC Term:	Taxonomy
AGROVOC Term:	Endemics
AGROVOC Term:	Genera
AGROVOC Term:	Distribution
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:27
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/16584

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