Aphyllorchis queenslandica

yellow pauper orchid
Illustration by Lewis Roberts
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Tribe: Neottieae
Subtribe: Limodorinae
Genus: Aphyllorchis
Species: A. queenslandica
Binomial name
Aphyllorchis queenslandica
Dockrill [1]

Aphyllorchis queenslandica, or yellow pauper orchid, is a terrestrial orchid in the genus Aphyllorchis, or pauper orchids.[2]

Description

Aphyllorchis queenslandica is a terrestrial orchid up to about 90 centimetres (35 in) tall. It is endemic to Far North Queensland, Australia.[3] It ranges from close to sea level up to about 400 metres (1,300 ft). The plants lack chlorophyll and live as saprophytes. Bracts or 'leaves' have three longitudinal and parallel veins.[2]

The sepals are about 13 by 2.5 millimetres (0.5 in × 0.1 in) and petals about 11 mm × 2 mm (0.43 in × 0.08 in) The labellum is larger, and cream-coloured with purple upturned margins. The column, composed of the stamen fused to the style, has a purple base, but is yellow towards the top, and is about 7 mm × 1.5 mm (0.28 in × 0.06 in) The ovary is about 12 mm × 2 mm (0.47 in × 0.08 in), with six external longitudinal ribs.[2]

The inflorescence is about 40–70 centimetres (16–28 in) long, and usually has 6–12 flowers about 20 mm (0.8 in) wide on pedicels about 2–3 mm (0.08–0.12 in) long.[4]


References

  1. ↑ Dockrill, A.W. (1965) Orchadian 1: 115. Type: Queensland, Helenvale, May 1962, C. Le Roy: Holo: QRS.
  2. 1 2 3 Jones, David L. (2006). A complete Guide to Native Orchids of Australia, including the island territories. New Holland Publishers, Frenchs Forest, N.S.W. 2086 Australia. ISBN 1-877069-12-4.
  3. ↑ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  4. ↑ Hyland, B. P. M.; Whiffin, T.; Zich, F. A.; et al. (Dec 2010). "Factsheet – Aphyllorchis queenslandica". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants. Edition 6.1, online version [RFK 6.1]. Cairns, Australia: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), through its Division of Plant Industry; the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research; the Australian Tropical Herbarium, James Cook University. Retrieved 16 March 2013.

External links

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