Satyrium is widespread in temperate and montane Africa, and two species are to be found in Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Burma). The genus comprises about 90 species of orchids, of which 37 are found in South Africa. With their small non-resupinate flowers (lip facing up) Satyrium species do not really look ‘orchid-like’. The African species of the genus grow in fynbos, grassland and miombo woodland, and can sometimes be found in extensive and dense colonies of thousands of individuals, particularly in the year after a veld fire. Most species are pollinated by moths which are attracted by the evening-scented flowers, but pollination by carrion flies and bees also occurs in the genus. Carrion fly-pollinated Satyrium flowers emit an unpleasant carrion-like odour. Flies, apparently hoping to find a dead animal to lay their eggs in, are attracted by these flowers and pollinate them. An exciting find was the recent discovery that three South African Satyrium species are pollinated by sunbirds.

Satyrium princeps, commonly known as Rooi-trewwa, is a handsome but threatened terrestrial orchid from coastal sands in the southern part of the Western and Eastern Cape. Its long-lasting carmine-red flowers appear in spring and early summer and are pollinated by sunbirds. Satyrium princeps is known from only a few sites in the region extending from Wilderness in the southern Cape to Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape. It occurs in full sun on fixed littoral dunes in small to large colonies and is locally plentiful in deep sand among low scrub or grasses, from sea level to 150 m. It occurs in Southern Cape Dune Fynbos, Algoa Dune Strandveld and Albany Dune Strandveld vegetation types. Growing orchids from seed is a fairly specialized undertaking and it requires a bit of understanding of tissue culture techniques. If you have never grown orchids from seed we recommend that before attempting this you should first contact your local Orchid Society, or purchase a book on the subject, or both!