Biology of the terrestrial orchid Habenaria sochensis RCHB.F. in Zambia

Heavy exploitation of tubers of terrestrial orchid species for the essential ingredient of a popular food known as chikanda in south central Africa, has drawn attention to and concern for the survival of these orchids (Bingham & Kokwe 2001). An investigation into the biology of one of these orchids was undertaken to learn about its habitat, ecology and requirements. Habenaria sochensis Rchb.f., recorded from the eastern half of Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi and eastern Zimbabwe (la Croix & Cribb 1995), is probably the nearest thing to a weedy orchid in the Lusaka plateau area of southern Zambia. It grows mostly in fallow grassland or open regenerating woodland on well drained acid soils. The flowering stems grow to 70 cm or more and flower during the first two weeks of March, the capsules maturing about eight weeks later. The number and variety of orchids in the Lusaka vicinity was high in the two seasons during which the study was carried out, the result of five successive good rainy seasons.