Habenaria sochensis Rchb. f.

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Grassy habitat; Lusaka SE 13km; Mar 2009.
Photo: Mike Bingham

Picture: Gary Winnaar
Katanga, Kisanfu

Grassy habitat; Lusaka SE 13km; Mar 2009.
Photo: Mike Bingham

Mother & 2 daughter tubers; grassy habitat;
Lusaka SE 13km; Mar 2009.
Photo: Mike Bingham

Capsules & seed; grassy habitat;
Lusaka SE 13km; Mar 2009.
Photo: Mike Bingham

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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms:
Common names:
Frequency:	Occasional to locally common
Status:	Native
Description:	Robust herb 0.6-2m tall; tuber ellipsoid or ovoid; stem leafy, leaves 11-16, the two lowest loosely sheathing, the upper leaves grading into the bracts; inflorescence many flowered; flower green and white, lower petal lobes like extended wings, hinged, oscillating in the breeze; spur 17-25 mm.
Type location:	Malawi
Notes:	One of the last in the season of the terrestrial orchids to flower. Unknown insects frequently destroyed the apical bud, preventing the plant from flowering.
Derivation of specific name:	Sochensis: Soche Hill, Blantyre, Malawi
Habitat:	Woodland or grassland, occasional in wasteland
Altitude range:	1050 - 1700 m
Flowering time:	Feb - Mar
Worldwide distribution:	(West Africa; East Africa; South-central Africa): Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe.
Zambian distribution (Flora Zambesiaca):	W,C,S
Zambian distribution (Provinces):	Cb,Lk,S
Growth form(s):	Terrestrial.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:	Lower Risk - least concern
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated:	Monday 6 January 2014
Literature:	Bingham, M.G. (2002). Biology of the terrestrial orchid Habenaria sochensis Rchb.f. in Zambia Kirkia 18(1) Pages 111 - 116. Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 30. Fibeck, W. & Dare, M. (1993). Terrestrial Orchids in Zimbabwe. Excelsa 16 Page 65. Grosvenor, R.K. (1976). A list of orchids indigenous in Rhodesia. Excelsa 6 Page 83. La Croix, I. & Cribb, P.J. (1995). Orchidaceae (Part 1) Flora Zambesiaca 11(1) Pages 105 - 106. La Croix, I. et al. (1991). Orchids of Malawi A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam Page 78. (Includes a picture). La Croix, I.F. & La Croix T.M. (1983). Orchids of Bvumbwe The Society of Malawi Journal 36(2) Page 17. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 96. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 122. Williamson, G. (1977). The Orchids of South Central Africa J.M. Dent & Sons Ltd., London. Page 55. (Includes a picture).

Other sources of information about Habenaria sochensis:

Our websites:

Flora of Malawi: Habenaria sochensis
Flora of Zimbabwe: Habenaria sochensis

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Habenaria sochensis
African Plant Database: Habenaria sochensis
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Habenaria sochensis
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Habenaria sochensis
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Habenaria sochensis
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Habenaria sochensis
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Habenaria sochensis
JSTOR Plant Science: Habenaria sochensis
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Habenaria sochensis
Plants of the World Online: Habenaria sochensis
Tropicos: Habenaria sochensis
Wikipedia: Habenaria sochensis