New Orchid species.

oh my goodness, I have to share my excitement:

I was just below the summit of Mount Anderson in January doing follow-up work on the Pines we destroyed up there when I encountered a beautiful orchid. I, as usual, took photos of it with my phone and reached for the excellent and fully comprehensive orchid book that Graeme (or is it Graham?). Naylor from unit 1 gave to me. Strangely, I could not find it in the book!

I sent a picture of it to Mervin Lotter today together with my plant list and got an immediate reply:

" Hi Jimmy

Do you know that you just missed out on discovering a new orchid species! The species you found on Mount Anderson (part of the reason for our visit last weekend), is Disa staerkeriana, named after Hurbert Staerker who discovered it about 3 years ago. It is not everyday that someone finds a new orchid. Do see http://redlist.sanbi.org/species.php?species=2759-4014 "

This is another reason why I love my job! Anyway, here are some photos of this new and very rare (only known from about 30 individuals!) Orchid:

So long.......