Disa is one of the great showpiece genera of the orchid family, Orchidaceae – a distinctly African group of mostly terrestrial, tuberous orchids celebrated for their sculptural flowers, vivid colour, and often very specialised habitats. Kew’s Plants of the World Online currently treats Disa as a genus in Orchidaceae with 186 accepted species, while South Africa is a major centre of diversity for the group. From the legendary red Disa uniflora, the “Pride of Table Mountain”, to delicate white, pink, mauve, orange, yellow, and red species from streamsides, seepages, grasslands, fynbos slopes, mountain ledges, and high-altitude wetlands, Disa offers growers and collectors some of the most elegant and sought-after terrestrial orchids in the world. Many species are cool-growing plants adapted to clean water, excellent air movement, bright filtered light, and sharply drained yet constantly moist root conditions; others are seasonal geophytes that demand a more precise wet-and-dry rhythm. This is a genus for patient growers, but it rewards that care with pollinator attracting flowers of exceptional refinement, ecological intrigue, and unmistakable South African character.

Disa spathulata commonly known as Begging Hand, Hartslaggies, Moederhartslaggie, Oupa-en-sy-pyp, Oupa-Met-Sy-Pyp and Oupa-pyp-in-die-bek is a South African endemic species from the Northern Cape and Western Cape Provinces where it can be found growing from Nieuwoudtville southwards to Bredasdorp, eastwards to Touwsrivier. It is synonymously known as Herschelia spathulata. It grows to 30 cm tall with linear semi-erect leaves. During spring it bears variable flower colours from maroon to green.