Leopard Orchid
Ansellia africana
Also known as
African Ansellia, Imfeyenkawu
Photo by Going.Local (All rights reserved)
Full Sun
Easy care
Moderate watering
Tender
8a-11b
USDA zone
-12°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
1.5m | Max | 1.5m |
50cm | Min | 50cm |
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has a mild fragrance
Leopard Orchid Overview
A magnificent large orchid, this perennial epiphytic plant is found growing in clumps attached to trees. It has white needle-like aerial roots that form a basket like structure which catches decaying leaves for the plant to feed on. If given the right conditions and plenty of bright light, this orchid will flower prolifically. The flowers appear during Spring and are yellow with brown or maroon spots. ZA Distribution: KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga.
Common problems with Leopard Orchid
Scale, red spider mite, mealybug
How to harvest Leopard Orchid
Flowers can be cut for the vase - it will last around 10 days.
How to propagate Leopard Orchid
Division
Cut through the rhizome which connects the pseudobulb using a sterile knife or cutters. Make sure that each section has at least three pseudobulbs.
Special features of Leopard Orchid
Attracts useful insects
Hawk moths visit the fragrant flowers at night.
Attracts birds
Eagle owls have been observed making a nest in a large clump of the orchid.
Pot plant
Attractive flowers
Colours range from green to yellow with brown to maroon spots.
Other uses of Leopard Orchid
Medicinal
Zulus make a tea from the pseudobulb which is used as an emetic, and the Pedi use it to suppress coughing in young children.