Images taken by Nicholas Wightman

Growing in open areas of savannah grassland in sandy loam soils

Growing in open areas of savannah grassland in sandy loam soils

Growing in open areas of savannah grassland in sandy loam soils

Mature bulbs displaying long neck

The pure white flowers open about an hour after sunset.

By the first morning, the flowers have developed a slight pink tinge.

The inflorescence sometimes opens in succession leading to a contrast of the new and old flowers.

The infructescence develops quickly after fertilization producing sometimes dozens of seeds.

Seeds are irregular in shape due to their development and can range from pea-sized to over 1cm across.

Frequent component of the woodland understorey growing amongst grasses, sedges and forbs in loam soils.

Frequent component of the woodland understorey growing amongst grasses, sedges and forbs in loam soils.

Frequent component of the woodland understorey growing amongst grasses, sedges and forbs in loam soils.

Growing in rocky escarpment Brachystegia woodland in sandy to sandy loam soils

Growing in rocky escarpment Brachystegia woodland in sandy to sandy loam soils

Growing in rocky escarpment Brachystegia woodland in sandy to sandy loam soils

Growing on flood susceptible river bank along the Kalungwishi R. in medium to light shade in clayish loam soil.

Growing on flood susceptible river bank along the Kalungwishi R. in medium to light shade in clayish loam soil.

Growing on flood susceptible river bank along the Kalungwishi R. in medium to light shade in clayish loam soil.

Growing on flood susceptible river bank along the Kalungwishi R. in medium to light shade in clayish loam soil.

Growing in ruderal sites along roadsides and Nkamba Bay airstrip

Growing in ruderal sites along roadsides and Nkamba Bay airstrip

Growing in ruderal sites along roadsides and Nkamba Bay airstrip

Growing in small open/deciduous patches within Itigi thicket in sandy loam soil

Growing in small open/deciduous patches within Itigi thicket in sandy loam soil

Growing in small open/deciduous patches within Itigi thicket in sandy loam soil

Growing in small open/deciduous patches within Itigi thicket in sandy loam soil

Growing amid grasses in sandy loam soil

Growing amid grasses in sandy loam soil

Growing amid grasses in sandy loam soil

Growing amid grasses in sandy loam soil

Growing in open miombo woodland in sandy loam soils

Growing in open miombo woodland in sandy loam soils

Growing in disturbed miombo woodland in sandy loam soils

Growing in disturbed miombo woodland in sandy loam soils

Growing in open, hot areas of savannah grassland in sandy loam soils

Growing in open, hot areas of savannah grassland in sandy loam soils

Growing in open, hot areas of savannah grassland in sandy loam soils

Growing in open, hot areas of savannah grassland in sandy loam soils

Suspected species harvested for the Chikanda trade

Suspected species harvested for the Chikanda trade

Suspected species harvested for the Chikanda trade

Suspected species harvested for the Chikanda trade

Suspected species harvested for the Chikanda trade

Growing in well drained section of perennially wet dambo grassland in sandy to sandy loam soil

Growing in well drained section of perennially wet dambo grassland in sandy to sandy loam soil

Growing in well drained section of perennially wet dambo grassland in sandy to sandy loam soil

Growing by a rocky outcrop in perennially wet dambo grassland in thin sections of sandy soil over rock or between cracks, oftern inundated in up to 2.5 cm of water.

Growing by a rocky outcrop in perennially wet dambo grassland in thin sections of sandy soil over rock or between cracks, oftern inundated in up to 2.5 cm of water.

Tubers of this species are possibly used in the preparation of a local Zambian dish called Chikanda with wild populations threatened by overharvesting.

Tubers of this species are possibly used in the preparation of a local Zambian dish called Chikanda with wild populations threatened by overharvesting.

Tubers of this species are possibly used in the preparation of a local Zambian dish called Chikanda with wild populations threatened by overharvesting.

In low rocky outcrop in miombo woodland growing in sandy loam soil

In low rocky outcrop in miombo woodland growing in sandy loam soil

Growing along streamside at the margins of riverine forest in sandy to sandy loam soils

Growing along streamside at the margins of riverine forest in sandy to sandy loam soils

Growing along streamside at the margins of riverine forest in sandy to sandy loam soils

Growing along streamside at the margins of riverine forest in sandy to sandy loam soils

Tubers appear to be stoloniferous in habit

The fleshy roots emerge from a short rhizome

Clumped habit

Single habit

Clumped habit

Plant found growing in riverine habitat

Plant found growing in riverine habitat

Close up of the dense inflorescence

Growing in miombo woodland in sandy clay loam soils

Growing in miombo woodland in sandy clay loam soils

Growing in slightly disturbed miombo woodland along D36 road c. 15 km from D19 road turnoff.

Growing in slightly disturbed miombo woodland along D36 road c. 15 km from D19 road turnoff.

Growing in slightly disturbed miombo woodland along D36 road c. 15 km from D19 road turnoff.

Growing in slightly disturbed miombo woodland along D36 road c. 15 km from D19 road turnoff.

The terminal inflorescences typically appear towards the middle of the rains lasting into the early dry season

The terminal inflorescences typically appear towards the middle of the rains lasting into the early dry season

The terminal inflorescences typically appear towards the middle of the rains lasting into the early dry season

Unripe four lobed fruits.

Growing on periphery of large rocky outcrop of miombo woodland in sandy loam soil

Growing on periphery of large rocky outcrop of miombo woodland in sandy loam soil

Growing on periphery of large rocky outcrop of miombo woodland in sandy loam soil

Growing on periphery of large rocky outcrop of miombo woodland in sandy loam soil

Growing on periphery of large rocky outcrop of miombo woodland in sandy loam soil

Growing in an open area at the base of escarpment woodland on edge of drainage channel in clay loam soils

Growing in an open area at the base of escarpment woodland on edge of drainage channel in clay loam soils

Growing in an open area at the base of escarpment woodland on edge of drainage channel in clay loam soils

Growing in an open area at the base of escarpment woodland on edge of drainage channel in clay loam soils

Growing in an open area at the base of escarpment woodland on edge of drainage channel in clay loam soils

The vertical rhizome can reach over 30cm in length and 2.5cm wide but are brittle and easily broken

Developing rhizomes adapt to obstacles during growth and can become misshapen.

Cultivated at Dabuyu Farms from material originally collected at Kachubwa village, Katete Distr., Eastern Province

Cultivated at Dabuyu Farms from material originally collected at Kachubwa village, Katete Distr., Eastern Province

Cultivated at Dabuyu Farms from material originally collected at Kachubwa village, Katete Distr., Eastern Province

Cultivated at Dabuyu Farms from material originally collected at Kachubwa village, Katete Distr., Eastern Province

Cultivated at Dabuyu Farms from material originally collected at Kachubwa village, Katete Distr., Eastern Province

Cultivated at Dabuyu farms from C. spectabilis material collected in Kachubwa village, Katete Distr., Eastern Province and C. macranthus material sourced from Protea Hill Farm, Lusaka Distr., Lusaka Province

Cultivated at Dabuyu farms from C. spectabilis material collected in Kachubwa village, Katete Distr., Eastern Province and C. macranthus material sourced from Protea Hill Farm, Lusaka Distr., Lusaka Province

Growing on flood prone riverbanks along the Lukulu R. in sandy to clayish soils

Growing on flood prone riverbanks along the Lukulu R. in sandy to clayish soils

Growing on flood prone riverbanks along the Lukulu R. in sandy to clayish soils

Growing on flood prone riverbanks along the Lukulu R. in sandy to clayish soils

Growing amongst grasses and forbs in open area of munga woodland in sandy loam - Red arrows show the linear to filiform stipules

Growing amongst grasses and forbs in open area of munga woodland in sandy loam - Red arrows show the linear to filiform stipules

Growing amongst grasses and forbs in open area of munga woodland in sandy loam - Red arrows show the linear to filiform stipules

Growing amongst grasses and forbs in open area of munga woodland in sandy loam - Red arrows show the linear to filiform stipules

Growing in sandy upper bank along Lukulu River in open sparse woodland

Growing in sandy upper bank along Lukulu River in open sparse woodland

Growing in sandy upper bank along Lukulu River in open sparse woodland

Growing in sandy upper bank along Lukulu River in open sparse woodland

Determined as Cynorkis hanningtonii

Determined as Cynorkis hanningtonii

Determined as Cynorkis hanningtonii

Determined as Cynorkis hanningtonii

Old plant growing at low level on base of trunk in rocky outcrop

Old plant growing at low level on base of trunk in rocky outcrop

Old plant growing at low level on base of trunk in rocky outcrop

Tubers of this species are used in the preparation of a local Zambian dish called Chikanda with wild populations threatened by overharvesting.

Tubers of this species are used in the preparation of a local Zambian dish called Chikanda with wild populations threatened by overharvesting.

Tubers of this species are used in the preparation of a local Zambian dish called Chikanda with wild populations threatened by overharvesting.

Tubers of this species are used in the preparation of a local Zambian dish called Chikanda with wild populations threatened by overharvesting.

Subspecies not yet confirmed.
Tubers of this species are used in the preparation of a local Zambian dish called Chikanda with wild populations threatened by overharvesting.

Subspecies not yet confirmed.
Tubers of this species are used in the preparation of a local Zambian dish called Chikanda with wild populations threatened by overharvesting.

Subspecies not yet confirmed.
Tubers of this species are used in the preparation of a local Zambian dish called Chikanda with wild populations threatened by overharvesting.

Large open perennially wet dambo grassland growing in black muck soils

Large open perennially wet dambo grassland growing in black muck soils

Large open perennially wet dambo grassland growing in black muck soils

Tubers of this species are used in the preparation of a local Zambian dish called Chikanda with wild populations threatened by overharvesting.

Tubers of this species are used in the preparation of a local Zambian dish called Chikanda with wild populations threatened by overharvesting.

Tubers of this species are used in the preparation of a local Zambian dish called Chikanda with wild populations threatened by overharvesting.

Growing in dense shade in deep leaf litter

Growing in dense shade in deep leaf litter

Growing in dense shade in deep leaf litter

Growing in leaf litter over granite boulders

Growing in leaf litter over granite boulders

Growing in leaf litter over granite boulders

Growing in leaf litter over granite boulders

Growing in leaf litter over granite boulders