[ 33 ] 
DNS GRANDIFLORA Zinn. 
Caule erecto folioso ; foliis lineari-lanceolatis acuminatis patentibus basi vaginantibus ; racemo erecto I—5-floro (rarissime 5—12-floro) ; floribus 
maximis speciosis ; bracteis ovato-lanceolatis acuminatis ; sepalis maximis, lateralibus planis ovatis acuminatis, sepalo postico cucullato ovato acuto, supra 
basin calcare breviusculo pendulo ; petalis oblique obovatis parvis ; labello lanceolato-lineare acuto apice recurvo ; columna erecta utrinque appendiculata, 
appendicibus ovalibus dimidiatis erectis cum anthera parallelis, margine laterali replicato dentato et cum dorso column basi adnato ; clinandrio magno 
dilatato carnoso trilobo, lobo medio inflexo ; anthera terminali erecta apiculata, in parte posteriore clinandrii inserta, connectivo carnoso rigido, loculis 
parallelis, basi divaricatis solutis in lobis lateralibus clinandrii incumbentibus ; pollinibus gracilibus clongatis, glandulis nudis ; stigmate carnoso concavo. 
DISA GRANDIFLORA, Linn. fil. Suppl. Pl. (1781), p. 406; Ker. in Journ. Sc. & Arts, IV., p. 205, t. 5, fig. 1; Lam. Encycl., IIL, p. 305, t. 727, fig. I; 
Lindl. Sert. Orch, t. 49; id., Bot. Reg., XL, t. 926; Bot. Mag,, t. 4073 ; Pescatorea, I, t. 18 ; Belg. Hort., V., p. 97, t. 7, figs. 1 & 2; Fl. & Pomol., 1863, p. 
105, with plate (var. superba) ; Warn. Sel. Orch., ser. 1, t. 36 (var. superba) ; Rchb. Fl. Exot. IL, t. 110; Fl. des Serres, t. 160; Jenn. Orch. t. 40; Fl. Mag., 
IL, t. 69 ; Fl. & Pomol., 1872, pp. 274, 275, with fig. ; Journ. Linn. Soc. VIL, pp. 144, 145, with figs. ; id, XIX., p. 233, fig. 1 (column) ; Gard. Chron., Apr. 3, 
1875, p. 441, fig. 90; id. Mar. 25, 1882, p. 402, fig. 62 (seedling) ; id., Dec. 8, 1888, p. 665, fig. 94. 
DISA UNIFLORA, Bergius Pl. Cap. (1767), p. 348, t. 4, fig. 7; Bolus Orchids of Cape Peninsula, p. 147. 
SATYRIUM GRANDIFLORUM, Thunb. Prodr. Pl. Cap. (1794), p. 4. 
Disa BARELLU, Hort., Fl. Mag,, ser. 2, 1874, t. 104. 
This magnificent terrestrial orchid is a native of Table Mountain and one or two other localities in South Africa. It appears to have first flowered in 
Europe in June, 1825, in the collection of William Griffin, Esq., of South Lambeth. It has been known since 1704, being mentioned in the third edition of 
Ray’s Historia Plantarum, as “Orchis Africana flore singulari herbacea.” It is found along the margins of streams on Table Mountain from about 1,100 to 
3,300 feet elevation, and also extends eastward to the Hottentot’s Holland range of mountains, and Cold Bokkeveld on the Gydouw mountain, and northward 
has been reported from the Cederbergen. Though less common than formerly, it is still abundant on Table Mountain, where its brilliant flowers border the 
stream sides during February and March. The name which has been given to it, the “ Pride of Table Mountain,” indicates the honour in which it is held, and 
Bolus remarks that it is, indeed, the queen of terrestrial orchids in the Southern Hemisphere. Disa uniflora is the original name of the species, but the 
younger Linnceus, thinking the name inappropriate, changed it to D. grandiflora. It produces from one (on weak specimens) up to five flowers, on the 
normal form, and up to eight on the variety superba ; indeed, Mr. B. S. Williams, in his Orchid Growers’ Manual, mentions a raceme of this variety received 
from Chatsworth which measured two and a half feet in length, and bore no less than twelve flowers. D. Barellii is a variety with flowers inclining towards 
orange colour, R.A. Rolfe. 
Icones analytica. Flos sepalis petalisque castratis fronte et a dorso visus. Columna fronte visa. Pollinium. 
Tus gorgeously beautiful, scarlet terrestrial orchid is a native of South Africa, where it is found growing on the margins 
of streams, near the summit of Table Mountain, from whence all importations have come, although Bolus states that 
it is also found in one or two other localities. Owing to the reckless manner pursued by some inexperienced and 
ruthless persons in destroying the tubers, exportation is now only allowed under certain restrictions by the Govern- 
ment. So much did Miss North, the celebrated flower painter, think of this plant that she made a special journey 
to the Cape for the purpose of painting it in blossom at home. She had, however, the great disappointment to 
find all the plants out of flower on her arrival at Table Mountain, 
Disa grandiflora attains a height of about 18 inches, and bears succulent stems with lanceolate acute bright green 
leaves, at the top of which are produced the lovely scarlet blossoms from three to seven in number. This is about the 
usual quantity, but in some collections where this plant has been grown in an extraordinary manner as many as ten and 
twelve flowers have been produced on a single stem. There are several distinct forms in cultivation in this country ; some 
are orange-scarlet, some of a vermilion-scarlet, and others of various shades, running more into crimson. This is only 
natural, as the plant in its native habitat seeds very freely, hence the variations are expected to occur. Many are killed 
every year in this country from their being kept in too hot and dry an atmosphere. After the flowering season the plant 
requires a rest, and during this period less water should be given. In about the month of February, when the tubers 
begin to grow, is a suitable time for potting, the material best suited for growing the Disa being very fibrous peat, with 
a good sprinkling of silver sand and sphagnum moss ; pieces of soft sandstone may be interspersed among the compost, 
and care should be taken that the latter is very fibrous and loose. Well-drained, shallow pans are the most suitable for 
their culture. Any one who has a very cool house or pit may cultivate this fine plant if there is humidity and an abund- 
ance of air; the cool end near the door of an Azalea house—as at Waddesdon Manor, the estate of Baron Ferdinand 
Rothschild—is a suitable place ; and at Chatsworth, the seat of the Duke of Devonshire, the whole one side of a heath 
house is devoted to them, and the plants flourish exceedingly. Disa grandiflora is, indeed, one of the finest of the 
greenhouse orchids, gorgeous and exquisitely beautiful, and so showy that it is called “the flower of the gods,” but 
there are few other species of the family worth the trouble of cultivation by amateurs; they are chiefly of botanical 
value, and the majority are difficult to grow and to keep in perfection for any length of time. 
Drawn from a plant in the collection of his Grace the Duke of Devonshire, Chatsworth, Chesterfield. 
