Disperis ciliata
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Disperis ciliata faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited South African range. The species' specialized pollination requirements and narrow ecological niche make it particularly vulnerable to environmental disturbances. Mining activities and invasive plant species further fragment the remaining suitable habitat patches.
Habitat
This terrestrial orchid inhabits grasslands, fynbos vegetation, and rocky outcrops in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa. It typically grows in well-drained soils on slopes and plateaus at elevations between 200-1000 meters.
