| Eulophia speciosa | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
| Genus: | Eulophia |
| Species: | E. speciosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Eulophia speciosa | |
| Synonyms | |
See text | |
Eulophia speciosa is a species of terrestrial orchid found from Ethiopia to South Africa and in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The plants usually grow in grasslands in sandy soils or in clay. [1]
The fleshy, lanceolate leaves arise from underground corms/pseudobulbs. [1] The leafless flowering shoot is about 0.4-0.8 m (up to 1.2m [2] ) tall, with up to 30 comparatively large flowers in an unbranched raceme. [1] The flowers measure about 25–45 mm in diameter, and are yellow with red markings on the lip of the side lobes. [1]
This species is common in most parts of its distribution range in southern Africa, [1] however it does make a good garden plant [2] and is vulnerable to collectors. In South Africa, all orchids are protected by law and the plants must not be removed from the wild without a permit; only nursery-grown plants can be cultivated legally. [1] These plants are used in African tradition as an emetic and as a protective charm against storms. [2]
Lissochilus speciosus R.Br. ex Lindl. is the basionym. Other synonyms include:
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