Orchid of the Week: Disa cardinalis

This week I’ve chosen an orchid native to South Africa, in honor of the World Cup currently taking place there. The orchid is the Disa cardinalis, and it’s a bright, cheerful beauty:

Disa cardinalis orchid
Image credit: orchid.unibas.ch

It’s pretty clear where the “cardinalis” part of this orchid’s name comes from, with its cardinal red petals. The blooms look like Little Red Riding Hood, am I right?!

Photo credit: Radnhild & Neil Crawford, Flickr

I’m pretty busy this week with my upcoming move (from one Brooklyn neighborhood to another!) so I don’t have much to say about this week’s orchid. I promise I’ll do better after my move in a couple weeks!