South African Weed Orchid

Distribution

It is one of the few orchid species which has become naturalized in Australia. It was first recorded in Western Australia in 1944, in South Australia in 1988 and Victoria in 1994. There is also a single recording in Tasmania.

Behavior

''Disa bracteata'' is classified as invasive in Australia. In sites where ''D. bracteata'' has invaded, there have been up to 80 individuals found per square meter of the area. The similarity of environmental conditions in Australia and South Africa have allowed ''D. bracteata'', as well as many other species native to South Africa, to become naturalized in regions of Australia.