Nervilia crociformis easily trampled

These tiny Nervilia crociformis plants are easily missed in their habitat by the flaneur. Here they grow in shade among fallen tree leaves and the rest of yesterdays detritus.

The white lips of the tiny flowers are conspicuous, their spreading pale sepals and lateral petals also visible. There are no leaves on these plants at present. N. crociformis grows its single leaf after it has bloomed (Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; Wikipedia; www.africanorchids.dk).