We all go in search of beautiful creatures or plants when we travel or simply just walk around a garden. Here at Londolozi during many of our game drives, we love to search for the mysterious leopard. They are stunning animals that are incredibly elusive by nature and for many of our guests, it may even be the very first time that they have ever seen a leopard. The first thing guests notice when they see a leopard for the first time is their rosettes, their golden coat with blotchy black spots. I mean their coat is so admirable it is fashion-worthy, I won’t deny having leopard print clothing.
But it’s not just Leopards with this attractive golden spotty coat…
The Londolozi famous leopard orchid (Ansellia africana) has a very similar appearance with its yellow petals being decorated with brown spots resembling that of a leopards coat and being the origin of its name. I say “famous” because the leopard orchid has great significance to the Londolozi community and has been a key driver behind many of the values and ethos of the entire Londolozi family.
A leopard orchid in a dead knobthorn tree
The leopard orchid is an epiphyte meaning that it grows on a host tree but does not harm or affect the host in any way, it merely just uses it as a structure to grow on in order to get the maximum sunlight. The orchid obtains its nutrients and energy from the air around it as well as decaying plant matter and humus in a nook or small cavity in the tree, or the ‘V’ of two branches.
Londolozi means ‘the protector of all living things’ and we strive to live in harmony with the environment around us, having a mutually beneficial relationship with the land and its animals. Similar to that of the leopard orchid, where we attempt to work together with the complex ecosystem that makes Londolozi the magical place it is rather than harming it in any way. 
Londolozi has become synonymous with leopards due to the amazing relationship and trust, we have with the leopards of Londolozi, it is only fitting that we decided to use the leopard as an iconic symbol and ambassador of Londolozi too.
Before I stray too far, the leopard orchid is one of my favourite plants that are indigenous to the Lowveld regions. I love driving along riverbeds amongst the tall ancient trees and spotting a new leopard orchid in bloom. There are many leopard orchids dotted around the reserve and some even closer to home that are found in some of the camps, most notably the huge one on the Tree Camp main deck.
This flower brings in many different insects like Hawk moths that feed on the sweet nectar within the flowers at night time and it can even be used as a nesting site for various birds. In the northern regions of Londolozi there was a Verreaux’s Eagle-owl that was nesting in the middle of a leopard orchid, the chicks were well hidden in the orchid and I can only imagine they felt quite comfortable in the soft leaves of the orchid.
This is the exact giant leopard orchid in the leadwood tree that the Verreaux’s Eagle-owl nested in.
In some traditions it is used as a love charm, it is believed at midnight if the person climbs a tree and picks a root of the leopard orchid and chews on it then spits it out while saying their desired partners name, the person they are admiring will think of them. Ethnobotanical usages have been documented in various traditional medicines used for madness as it has an effect on the central nervous system. Recent studies have shown that the leopard orchid can be used to treat Alzheimer’s disease as it has many sources of biomolecules.
Next time you head out on drive ask your ranger to point out the Leopard Orchids of Londolozi…
Does anyone know who that male leopard is on the old photo with the Londolozi sign ?
Hi Marc, it is the Camp Pan Male.
Thanks for the info,Jess! I remember him. He had that special relationship with one of his sons.
Jess very interesting your story on the leopard orchid, and it is a beautiful flower as well. So we’ll established using the tree as a host to grow on. The pic of the leopard is a beautiful male leopard, is it the Flat rock male. The name Londolozi, meaning ” protector of all living things” is so perfect, because you do protect all living things.
Hi Valmai, thank you! The leopard next to the sign is the Camp Pan Male.
A beautiful blog, Jess.
Leopards are for me the most beautiful animals and orchids are one my favorite flowers/ plants. I love the one on Tree Camps’ deck. It is indeed the perfect symbol for Londolozi, this leopard orchid with its leopard face.
And the photo of the leopard walking past Londolozi’s road sign is just great.
Flowers are one of our ecosystems most beautiful plants as well as useful . Thanks for bringing the leopard orchid to my attention .
Hi Jess, thank you for this very interesting blog on these lovely plants, orchids are among the most wanted vegetables as leopards are most wanted animals, unfortunately to wear as well. The similitude between this special plant and your activity is remarkable. I love orchids and hope they will be no longer trafficked, only cultivated, as leopards fur is no more sold in many countries in favour of fake coat
Was it the Marthly male?
Hi Suzanne, it is the Camp Pan Male.
Jess, thank you for highlighting this beautiful epiphyte, including traditional uses as well as potential medicinal use.
I remember stopping to admire one of these blooming orchids during a game drive, all the while hoping to find a female leopard rumored to be in the area, when just 5 minutes later she appeared!
The Londolozi logo is distinctive and I appreciate the thought process behind its development. After one’s first visit to this property, you truly under the ethos, protector of all living things.
An interesting blog Jess. Thanks for sharing.
Jess, Thanks for this story! We love orchids and have seen the Leopard Orchid in the wild at Londolozi! We remember that the Londolozi logo is in the shape of the orchid with the leopard incorporated in it. A brilliant way to showcase the wildlife and plant life together!
Fascinating blog Jess, and love the detail about the various values the plant/flowers have!!
Loved the common bond that you have used between the harmonious approach of Londolozi and the leopard orchid Jess 🙏🏻 Apt that the orchid generally cradles in a V of a tree taking only that which is decaying yet, in return nurturing new life by attracting birds to nest within it. Long may Londolozi continue to show the world that it’s possible to enjoy our animal kingdom without encroaching on ‘their space’. Super blog thanks Jess ❤️