Text and pictures by
Peter & Jenny Ryan
On a hot and hazy summer morning
early in February 2001, a group of about 16 indigenous orchid enthusiasts met with Dr John
Duff at the Oak And Vigne restaurant in Greyton, to walk into the mountains and view Disa
uniflora growing in their natural habitat.
We followed the same route up the
kloof as we had during our fabulous trip the previous September. Then we saw the seldom
seen Bartholina burmanniana (spider orchid) as well as a variety of Satyriums and other
terrestrial orchids.
On this trip we walked a lot
further up the trail and then left the path to scramble up the side of a very steep kloof
as far as the rack band. The sustained scramble was well worth it as we were rewarded with
a rocky, moss covered cliff and a profusion of Disa unifloras.
The area was very wet and we had to be very careful not to step on small Disa plants or
flowers. The Disa flowers were smaller than the Table Mountain variety, however they
appeared to be darker red. Many buds were still to open, ensuring a continued display.
After much oohing and aahing and flashing of cameras, we made our way
slowly down the path and back to the restaurant for brunch.
Sadly a few members
missed the walk as the group left rather promptly and
the expected numbers were not known.
Many thanks to the
organisers:
Sylvia and Mike Byren, Eberhard and Wendy Gersie
