Habenaria species with gnat-like flowers were common in the grassy rough.
Habenaria schimperiana was originally described from the Simien Mountains of northern Ethiopia, having been collected there by Georg Wilhelm Schimper in the 19th century.
Further north, surrounded by magnificent vistas to the north of the rugged Simien Mountains, which are the highest in Ethiopia, we found another sect.
Habenaria rhodocheila(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-31)
Habenarias have been promoted as being among the most difficult orchids to grow.
They are developed from corms that go totally dormant in the parched soil of their native habitat, so parched that the soil is rock-hard and cracked.
Habenarias purchased as bare-root corms should not be planted until April, as the damp soil mixes will start growth and alter their growth cycle unfavorably.
They often emit a sweet scent in the evening to attract moths which act as pollinators.
Habenaria species have small to large underground root tubers and erect stems 20 to 80 cm in length.
Plants of the genus Habenaria are rarely found in collections of living plants as they have very little appeal to growers due to their inconspicuous flowers which lack brilliant colours.
Habenaria ochroleuca information and photo page(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-31)
Description of Habenaria ochroleuca : A deciduous plant with subterrainium tuber.Terrestrial, requires a humus rich media, good drainage and a dry rest once the leaves have fallen.
The tuber likes to attach to a small rock, so the addition a a few rocks in the pot may be an advantage.In spring, a repot into a fresh rich leafmould and soil mix plus some organic fertiliser will prompt strong new leaf growth and the apical flower spike of colourful flowers.
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Derivation of genus name: By Carl Ludwig von Willdenow in 1805 in reference to the strap-like, long, slender lateral lobes of the labellum, from the Greek habena = strap, reins.
Type species: (Orchis habenaria L.) Habenaria macroceratitis Willd.
Characteristics of the genus: Deciduous terrestrial herbs arising from tubers occurring in the forest undergrowth, in damp to slightly boggy open places.
IOSPE PHOTOS(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-31)
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker's Habenaria [English Botanist 1800's]
This is a small to medium sized, cool to warm growing terrestrial orchid found in Mantiqueira Rain Forest Mountains at elevations of 800 to 1500 meters where it blooms in the early winter and last through the early summer.
Habenaria carnea information and photo page(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-31)
Description of Habenaria carnea : Habenaria carnea is an intermediate to warm grower, but should be easily handled in the cold glasshouse as it is dormant in the cold months, when the pot can be removed and held dry, with an occasional water to prevent excess drying out of the tuber.
A deciduous plant with subterrainium tuber.Terrestrial, requires a humus rich media, good drainage and a dry rest once the leaves have fallen.
Click Here to search for further info about Habenaria carnea on the new interactive section of website or here to add your comments, information or photos
