Images taken 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

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

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

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

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

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

Growing amid grasses in sandy loam soil

Growing amid grasses in sandy loam soil

Growing amid grasses in sandy loam soil

Growing amid grasses in sandy loam soil

Growing in open miombo woodland in sandy loam soils

Growing in open miombo woodland in sandy loam soils

Growing in disturbed 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

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

Growing in open, hot areas of savannah grassland 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

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

Clumped habit

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

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

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

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

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

Growing in exposed rocky outcrops amid grasses in sandy soil

Growing in exposed rocky outcrops amid grasses in sandy soil

Growing in exposed rocky outcrops amid grasses in sandy soil

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

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

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

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

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 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 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

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

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

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 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.

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

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

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 on the periphery of large termitaria in clay loam

Growing on the periphery of large termitaria in clay loam

Growing on the periphery of large termitaria in clay loam

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

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

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

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

Growing in disturbed miombo woodland in sandy loam soils

Growing in disturbed miombo woodland in sandy loam soils

Growing in disturbed miombo woodland in sandy loam soils

Growing in riverside grassland edge amidst Pandanus livingstonianus

Growing in riverside grassland edge amidst Pandanus livingstonianus

Growing in riverside grassland edge amidst Pandanus livingstonianus

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

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

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

Flowers usually open singulary on each branch.

Flowers usually open singulary on each branch.

Flowers usually open singulary on each branch.

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 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 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 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.

Tubers of this species are 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

Growing in exposed rocky outcrops amid grasses in sandy soil

Growing in exposed rocky outcrops amid grasses in sandy soil

Plant found growing near a seepage area by farm roadside