Finger Orchid - a weed (*Disa bracteata)

Other names: *Monadenia bracteata, South African Orchid.

Family: Orchidaceae (Orchid family).

Native of South Africa.

Occurrence: Scattered locations e.g. near the Grampians, Lake Eppalock, where it can be abundant.

Identification:

• it is a stout orchid with a single stem
• the white flowers are clustered along the upper part of the stem
• it is a leafy orchid, with leaves near the base, and smaller upper leaves
• the small flowers are amongst the upper leaves.

It is an environmental weed. Finger Orchid is a serious and well established weed in Western Australia, where it covers thousands of hectares. It is also established in South Australia. Unlike native orchids which are insect-pollinated, this orchid self-pollinates. It has potential to become one of the worst weeds of Central Victoria.

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