Pterygodium magnum

Pterygodium magnum, sometimes commonly called the big bonnet and scientifically previously Corycium magnum, is a tuberous perennial producing an erect flower stem of about 1,5m in height. This makes it the tallest of local ground orchids, as suggested by the specific name.

The flowers have interesting purple striped and spotted petals. Pointed bracts are prominent, one positioned below each flower.

The species distribution ranges from the Eastern Cape, the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal to Mpumalanga and Limpopo. It is also found in Swaziland and maybe further afield in Africa.

The habitat is damp grassland, along watercourses and flood plains of the eastern, summer rainfall region and mainly away from the coast. The habitat population is considered of least concern early in the twenty first century (Manning, 2009; Pooley, 1998; iNaturalist; https://www.pacificbulbsociety.org; http://redlist.sanbi.org).