| This site is full of FREE ebooks - Check them out at our Home page - Project Gutenberg Australia |
A Project Gutenberg of Australia eBook Title: West Australian Orchids Author: Emily H Pelloe eBook No.: 0400681h.html Edition: 1 Language: English Character set encoding: HTML--Latin-1(ISO-8859-1)--8 bit Date first posted: September 2004 Date most recently updated: September 2004 Project Gutenberg of Australia eBooks are created from printed editions which are in the public domain in Australia, unless a copyright notice is included. We do NOT keep any eBooks in compliance with a particular paper edition. Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing this file. This eBook is made available at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg of Australia License which may be viewed online at http://gutenberg.net.au/licence.html To contact Project Gutenberg of Australia go to http://gutenberg.net.au
by
EMILY H. PELLOE
Author of
"WILDFLOWERS OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA"
Do they say that the bush is all greyness and
gloom
Why, the rainbow has lent every thread from his loom
To weave into flower and shrub!
There are star-flowers blue as the deep winter
sky,
Here are "Grandmothers Honeycups," humble and shy;
And the purple of hovea bloom.
Half hiding, half peeping, the orchids
appear,
The friendly and cheerful red runner creeps near--
Say, where are the greyness and gloom.
--LILIAN WOOSTER GREAVES.
[ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR]
PUBLISHED BY
EMILY H. PELLOE
PERTH
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
1930
My thanks are due to
DR. R. S. ROGERS
and
LT.-COL. B. T. GOADBY
for generously given assistance in collecting
material for the compilation of this Book.
PERTH, W.A., 1930.
EMILY H. PELLOE.
Registered by the Postmaster-General for
transmission
through the Post as an Australian Book.
Wholly Set up and Printed in
Australia by
DIX LIMITED
Murray St. Perth.
Three-colour Blocks by
GIBNEY & SONS LTD.
Perth.
To
SIR FRANCIS NEWDEGATE, K.C.M.G.,
LATE GOVERNOR OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA,
AND LOVER OF ITS FLORA.
ILLUSTRATIONS:
CALADENIA CAIRNSIANA Plate I.
CALADENIA CRISTATA Plate I.
CALADENIA DEFORMIS Plate I.
CALADENIA DILATATA Plate I.
CALADENIA DISCOIDEA Plate I.
CALADENIA FILAMENTOSA Plate I.
CALADENIA FLAVA Plate I.
CALADENIA GEMMATA Plate I.
CALADENIA HIRTA Plate I.
CALADENIA LATIFOLIA Plate I.
CALADENIA LOBATA Plate I.
CALADENIA MACROSTYLIS Page 51.
CALADENIA MENZIESII Plate III.
CALADENIA MULTICLAVIA Page 44.
CALADENIA PANICULATA Page 55.
CALADENIA PATERSONII VAR. LONGICAUDA Plate I.
CALADENIA PECTINATA Plate I.
CALADENIA PLICATA Plate I.
CALADENIA ROEI Page 53.
CALADENIA SACCHARATA Plate I.
CALADENIA SERICEA Plate I.
DIURIS CARINATA Plate III.
DIURIS LONGIFOLIA Plate III.
DIURIS SETACEA Page 16.
DRAKAEA ELASTICA Plate III.
DRAKAEA JEANENSIS Page 31.
ERIOCHILUS SCABER Plate III.
GLSSODIA BRUNONIS Plate III.
GLSSODIA EMARGINATA Plate III.
LEPTOCERAS FIMBRIATUM Plate III.
LYPERANTHUS NIGRICANS Plate III.
LYPERANTHUS SERRATUS Plate III.
MICROTIS PORRIFOLIA Plate II.
PRASOPHYLLUM CYPHOCHILUM Page 25.
PRASOPHYLLUM ELATUM Plate II.
PRASOPHYLLUM FIMBRIA Plate II.
PRASOPHYLLUM MACROSTACHYUM Page 26.
PRASOPHYLLUM PARVIFOLIUM Page 27.
PTEROSTYLIS RECURVA Plate III.
PTEROSTYLIS ROBUSTA Plate III.
PTEROSTYLIS ROGERSII Page 34.
PTEROSTYLIS SARGENTII Page 36.
PTEROSTYLIS TURFOSA Plate III.
PTEROSTYLIS VITTATA Plate III.
RHIZANTHELLA GARDNERI Page 65.
THELYMITRA ANTENNIFERA Plate II.
THELYMITRA ARISTATA Plate II.
THELYMITRA CRINITA Plate II.
THELYMITRA FUSCOLUTEA Plate II.
THELYMITRA VARIEGATA Plate II.
THELYMITRA VILLOSA Plate II.
Plate I.
West Australian Orchids
Orchids are usually termed the aristocrats of plant life. The presence of over 130 species in Western Australia adds considerable interest to the study of her magnificent and world-famous flora.
The order or family Orchidaceae was originally defined by Haller in the 18th Century, its name being adapted from the root of Orchis, a well-known genus in the temperate regions of the Northern hemisphere. It belongs to the group of plants known as monocotyledons, which have seeds generating in a single lobe, and with few exceptions, parallel-veined leaves. The Orchidaceae family is a very large one, represented in the world by over 400 genera and many thousands of species, especially abundant in the Tropics, and rare in the Arctic regions.
West Australian orchids, which are practically all terrestrial, cannot be compared to some found in Brazil, the Malay States, India, and other tropical places, for size, vividness of colour, and bizarre marking. But their delicate tints, dainty fragility of form, the curious structure of many of the species, and their methods of fertilisation, constitute beauty that endears them to young and old, and characteristics that fascinate the botanist.
A tropical South American orchid (Coryanthes, Hooker, four species) has the honour of being considered the most wonderful flower in the world, It is an epiphyte (which means that it grows attached to the trunk or branches of a tree without being parasitical, or on a rock-face, but never in the ground) and has pendulous flowers marvellously constructed for the purpose of ensuring fertilisation by insects. Below a part composed of succulent tissue very attractive to bees, is a bucket-like organ kept full of a thin watery fluid that drips into it. The bees fight for places to secure the succulent tissue, and every now and then one falls, or gets pushed off, into the bucket. It can neither fly nor climb out and is forced to squeeze through a sort of narrow' overflow pipe. In so doing it passes the stigma, fertilising it, if any pollen is borne, and then, passing the anther, is loaded with a fresh supp1y of pollen to be carried to other flowers.
Stanhopea, Frost, another tropical American epiphyte also has flowers of wonderful construction and large size, some being eight inches in diameter. In one species (S. tigrina, Bateman) a certain part, the only escape from a bucket trap covered with juicy hairs is so slippery that fertilisation is effected by bees sliding down it on to the column. These and other magnificent tropical orchids grown under cultivation in Europe, are illustrated in colour in a French book entitled "Les Orchidees," by E. de Puydt.
Pteroslylis, an Australian genus well represented in Western Australia, was specially mentioned by Darwin on account of the curious construction of its flowers and interesting methods of fertilisation, in his book, "The Fertilisation of Orchids."
NAMING AND CLASSIFICATION
Orchids, like all other classified plants, have two names. The first, usually of Greek derivation, denotes the genus to which it belongs, and the second, generally a Latin word, the species. In some cases personal names commemorating distinguished botanists and others have been used, but the names, when translated, usually indicate some characteristic of genus or the species. "Why not simple English names?" is a question often asked that can be best explained, perhaps, by mentioning the fact that science knows no nationality. A great deal of West Australian botanical collection, research classification, has been done by foreign enthusiasts. It is a good thing the custom exists of using a common dead language such as Greek or Latin, for purposes of scientific nomenclature. Otherwise, we should indeed have been saddled with some puzzles in connection with the naming of our native flowers.
The name written immediately after an orchid or other classified flower, is that of the botanist who originally named it. It will be noticed that the majority of West Australian orchids owe their titles to Robert Brown, the "grand old man of Australian botany. Originally an army surgeon, he was appointed by Sir Joseph Banks to accompany Flinders, as naturalist, on his voyage of discovery to Australia in "Investigator." Robert Brown was subsequently Keeper Botany at the British Museum, and is honoured as the greatest systematic botanist of all time. Several genera and many species of orchids were named by Professor John Lindley, a celebrated English botanist, many years a deeply interested, worker on Australian plants.
Other famous botanists responsible for the naming of numerous species were George Bentham, author of "Flora Australiensis," a comprehensive work on Australian plants; Baron Ferdinand von Mueller, botanical explorer and writer, for many years Government Botanist of Victoria; and R. D. Fitzgerald, who wrote and illustrated in colour a priceless work on Australian orchids. Mr. Fitzgerald died, unfortunately, before his task was finished. A large number of his unpublished drawings are stored at the Mitchell Library, Sydney, New South Wales. Apart from the beautiful full-page plates, lucid descriptions and field notes of the varieties dealt with in the two volumes of "Fitzgerald's Australian Orchids," fascinating facts and theories concerning their fertilisation are included.
Dr. R. S. Rogers, of Adelaide, South Australia, is the present-day authority on Australian orchids. Besides describing many new West Australian species, Dr. Rogers has contributed much valuable information, based on personal knowledge of the living plants, through the medium of various botanical publications, dealing with other West Australian orchids, both well-known and rarely collected.
Mrs. Edith Coleman, of Blackburn, Victoria, has made special study of West Australian orchids, and enjoys the honour of being the only woman to describe and name new orchid species in Western Australia. Mrs. Coleman has contributed valuable addition to the known facts concerning the pollination of various species. Mr. O. H. Sargent, of Perth, also has specialised in orchid observation, and defined and named many species.
The common names by which many orchids are known are extremely interesting, but by no means satisfactory for identification purposes. The same name is often applied to several species, and in various places the same orchid is known by different names, which is confusing. The correct botanical names of most West Australian orchids are euphonious, and not too difficult for even children to learn. Once the meanings are understood and the described characteristics have been observed in the growing plants, the terrors of the names vanish, and their usage becomes a matter of course.
The following rules have been laid down for the correct spelling of botanical names: Generic names should always begin with a capital letter. A capital letter should be used for the name of a species derived from the name of a person. The termination "ii" is used with personal names (masculine) after all consonants except "r," e.g., Menziesii, Muelleri; but not after vowels, e.g., Purdiei. The gender of an adjective species should agree with that of the generic name.
No absolutely authoritative ruling can be quoted for the proper pronunciation of the generic names of the various orchids, and it is surprising how many different ways some of them can be, and are pronounced. In hope of something definite in this respect being adopted by West Australia orchid-lovers, the pronunciations commonly used by botanist are indicated in this book.
Classification of West Australian orchids, so far as genus is concerned, is not usually difficult. With a little practice correct identification of the different species becomes easy if a book of reference is available, although examination of specimens under a lens is sometimes necessary. Pictures and detailed drawings are helpful, but to "run out," as botanist term working from detailed descriptions, is the most unsatisfactory way of arriving definitely at right identification. With the aid of this book it should not be beyond the power of any person or child of reasonable age, sufficiently interested, to learn to run out both genus and species of any West Australian orchid for themselves. The use of difficult technical terms has been avoided as much as possible. A glossary, however, is appended which explains the meaning of certain word considered necessary for concise and clear description. Idea can be obtained from the illustrations as to the genus of a specimen. If that genus be turned up and the general description found to agree, the details of the various species can be glanced through until one is discovered that corresponds in shape and colour, size of leaf, parts of flower, etc. To cormpare the descriptions of well-known varieties with living specimens is good practice for learning to deal with orchids not so well known.
STRUCTURE, FERTILISATION and REPRODUCTION
The chief characteristic of an orchid flower is the column, composed of the united male and female generative organs, stamens and pistil, and bearing upon it a small button-like projection known as the rostellum, covered, like the stigma, with a sticky glue like substance attractive to insects.
Orchids are fertilised by pollen-grains falling from the anther on to the stigma, or being deposited upon it by pollen bearing insects visiting the flower. Should the rostellum be touched by an insect (or even for purposes of experiment with a pin) the pollen masses are released from the anther at the top of the column. The column often bears wing-like, semi-transparent appendages that assist in the direction of insects to the rostellum.
At the base of the column is the ovary or seed capsule. The perianth consists of three sepals, forming the outer row, and three petals alternate with them, forming the inner row, all adherent to the ovary. The sepals are usually darker outside than the petals. A distinctive feature of an orchid flower is that the third petal or labellum (commonly called the lip) is usually unlike the others, and of strange and unexpected shape. In many cases the lip has a part to play in assisting fertilisation by insects. Its appearance attracts them. The rows of calli or glandular hairs upon it in some species, guide crawling insects to the base of the column. When the lip is fringed, insects often get entangled, and their struggles for freedom generally result in pollen being deposited upon the stigma. In some instances the lip springs forward at the lightest touch, being provided with a hinge-like contrivance, so that insects alighting on the lip are forced against the column and held there.
Some orchids, owing to the arrangement of the generative parts, are capable of self-pollination, but, the majority are dependent upon insects for fertilisation, the pollen usually being carried from other flowers. Those species that are selffertilised always produce a far greater proportion of seed.
The seed-capsule of an orchid is three-celled, each cell containing a great number of tiny seeds. The quantity produced is counterbalanced by the fact that the seeds do not germinate freely, and the enormous number of flowers on varieties dependent on insects for reproduction, that bloom and wither without being fertilised.
Although orchids seed freely when fertilised, the reproduction of terrestrial species is largely carried on by multiplication of the root tubers, and for this reason an orchid plant should never be torn heedlessly from the ground. If the flower is carefully picked from above, or even just below the lower leaf or leaves, no damage is done and it will grow up again.
COLLECTION OF ORCHIDS
The study of orchids should appeal to any lover of Nature's beauty and wonders, and is one to be encouraged. Orchid-hunting is a delightful pastime entailing much healthful walking exercise, and adding unending charm to bush excursions. The interest of the beginner who has acquired some knowledge of species and habits, rapidly becomes the enthusiasm of the keen collector. And there is no doubt that the pursuit of Nature-study once cultivated by those lucky bush-dwellers with opportunity at their door-step, does much to relieve the monotony of country life.
"Live and let live," however, should be the motto of those orchid-seekers who strive to pick every flower on sight-a practice that can have but one result, the gradual but sure extermination of even the commonest kinds. Most children, and grown-ups also, have much to learn in this respect. Just a few carefully selected specimens in a loose bunch are ever so much more effective than hundreds of blooms tightly packed into a great mass than can scarcely be held in the hand. Orchids picked in this wholesale fashion usually are thrown away almost as soon as gathered or upon reaching home, because of their pitiable crushed and wilted condition, or the impossibility of using such quantities for decorative purpose in any one house. Quality and- variety, not quantity, should be the aim of the orchid-hunter, also the opportunity of noting the characteristics of different species.
Children love orchids. They see quaint resemblances to something or other in almost every familiar variety. Perhaps because West Australian orchids mostly are plants of lowly stature, and the eyes of children are nearer the ground than those of grown-ups, boys and girls usually have what is known as "the orchid eye" exceedingly well developed, and are wonderfully quick at noticing species often unobserved by the casual passer-by.
A carefully prepared and properly classified orchid collection is of great interest. The specimens should be pressed by placing them carefully between sheets of blotting-paper as flat as possible and applying pressure with a hot iron. They should then be neatly mounted on a piece of stout white paper - not stuck on, but held in position by several narrow strips of adhesive paper - and labelled with the correct botanical name, colour, the common name or names by which known, locality where found, and the date. The various species should be grouped together under the headings of their respective genera, and the whole collection kept either in folders made of thick paper, or mounted on heavy paper and the sheets bound together by fine cord run through punched holes on the loose-leaf system, so that fresh specimens may be put away in their proper places as collected.
Systematic botanists are often compelled to rely solely upon dried specimens of plants from different lands for purposes of study and description. Bentham's monumental work, "Flora Australiensis" affords a striking example from a classification point of view of what can be attained without personal knowledge of the flora of a country in its natural state. But no one interested, and fortunate enough to live within reach of the living and growing plants, should be content with such acquaintance with orchids. The observation of the growth and development of the various species from week to week, and year to year, is a fascinating hobby, Notes carefully kept with comparisons of various individual plants of the same variety growing under different conditions may yield valuable unrecorded information. It is in this way, for in stance, that one becomes acquainted with the great change in the whole form of the plant which such a common orchid a Pterosty1is vittata undergoes during the first three year of its growth. Many of the orchids in Western Australia such as this one which grows readily from seed, are easily cultivated in boxes or pots and under such conditions can be studied at frequent intervals without difficulty. (See Lyperanthus Forrestii and Cryptostylis ovata.)
WEST AUSTRALIAN TYPES
West Australian orchids, excepting those of the northern tropical area, are all terrestrial; that is, they growr in the ground. In the northern regions of Western Australia epiphytical and other tropical orchids have been found. Specimens in the Government herbariums from the Kimberley district, include Eulophia venosa, Reichenbach fil; Cymbidium canaliculatum, R. Brown; and Dendrobium dicuphum, F. von Mueller. The humid atmosphere of the tropical area of Western Australia is more favourable to the growth, of epiphytes than the temperate regions of the southern portion of the State, where in the summer the rainfall is slight, and the moisture necessary for tree orchids dries out of the bark surrounding the trunks of forest trees. With the exception of one species of Gastrodia and perhaps the recently discovered Rhizanthella, all West Australian orchids belong to the tribe Neottieae, in which the anther is erect or bent forward and persistent. Species of genera (including Gastrodia) belonging to the Arethuseae tribe have the anther lid-like, incumbent, and usually deciduous.
LOCALITIES, ETC.
In the following pages descriptions will be found of the terrestrial orchids native to Western Australia. Localities, with month of flowering, have in almost every instance, been appended to each detailed description. But attempt has not been made to define exactly either the range, situation or flowering period of the various species, as most of them widely distributed and indifferent, apparently, to any particular class of soil. The places and times given, however, serve as a guide for the collection of specially desired species The majority of West Australian orchids thrive equally in forest glades, river beds or swampy places, in the vicinity of flooded flats, sandy soil or on granite mountain range or coastal limestone hills. Flowering times vary according situation, sometimes extending over several months.
Many orchids may be found upon the slopes of, or on flats adjacent to the Darling Range. Some varieties are fairly plentiful in and around Perth and suburbs on vacant virgin land, and in the vicinity of the upper reaches of Swan and Canning rivers.
Thelymitra, R. & C. Forster
[thel-ee-my-tra ]
From thelys, a woman, and mitra, a cap; referring to the hooded column which bears a fanciful resemblance to a woman's headdress.
Some of the most showy and beautiful of West Australian orchids belong to this genus, represented by many species, commonly called "Sun Orchids," with variously coloured flowers, often sweetly scented, in a terminal raceme. The flowers, unlike the usual orchid type, have, sepals and petals nearly equal in length, with the lip similar to and spreading with them. This striking characteristic occurs among Australian orchids only in this genus. Many interesting experiments and observations were made and recorded by R. D. Fitzgerald in regard to the fertilisation of the various species of Thelymitra (some of which are capable of self-fertilisation while others are wholly dependent on insects) by artificial pollination with the aid of a pin, and the use of a bell-glass placed over a plant in the early stages of its development, thus precluding the possibility of insect fertilisation, and proving in many cases, the presence of the power of self-fertilisation. Various species produced seed when crossed artificially among themselves, and with the various forms of Diuris. The column is erect, rather short, and very broadly winged. Where the anther rises above the stigma, and the pollen masses crumble readily and fall on the stigma, the flower is usually capable of self-fertilisation. Some species fertilise themselves in the bud, the flower afterwards expanding. Where the pollen masses are not easily broken and come away readily at a touch, but whole, from behind or below the stigma, insects are necessary for fertilisation. The various species have a solitary leaf, usually with a long sheath.
The genus Thelymitra is principally Australian, but extends to New Zealand, New Caledonia and Java.
T. ixioides, Swartz; flowers like Ixia.
Usually above 1 ft., with several reddish-purple flowers, darkly
veined. Middle lobe of hood crested at the top. "A type of the
species in which the pollen masses are not friable but come away
whole from behind the stigma, or the pollen in any way overlap
it, or be overlapped by it, or crumble upon it." -
Fitzgerald.
W.A.: Bibra Lakes, Busselton, Gilgerring, Lake Yangebup, Maylands, Pinjara.
September - October.
All other States.
T. canalicialata, R. Brown; channeled.
A species with habit and few, rather small flowers resembling the
slender, narrow-leaved forms of T. ixioides, but the
central lobe of column-hood is broader and though much more
toothed, has no dorsal crest. Flowers bright blue with dark blue
longitudinal lines; points of lateral wings of column produced
forward into a bunch of light pink hairs, middle lobe toothed.
Leaf, long, linear, deeply channeled. Usually favours clay
soil.
W.A.: Albany, Bruce Rock, Dumbleyung, York. October -
November.
Victoria, New South Wales.
T. campanulata, Lindley; bell-shaped.
A species considered distinct by some botanists, but not by
Bentham, who could not separate it from T. canaliculalata.
As originally described, the leaf is radical and linear. Flowers
numerous, reddish-purple, bell-shaped. Column-hood with wide
appendages and sharp-pointed apex barbed at middle, softly hairy
at the back.
W.A.: Mt. Toolbrunup. October.
T. crinita, Lindley; hairy, referring to the tufted
crest of column.
Usually above 1 ft. high. Leaf very broadly lanceolate.
Flowers, several in a loose raceme, of a beautiful shade of blue.
Easily distinguished from other species by the hood of the column
being densely crested. The wings enclose the column on three
sides and terminate above in a dense tuft of purple hairs
projecting forward. "Evidently fertilised by insects from the
readiness with which pollen masses are removed from the anther,
and their unbroken condition when extracted." - Fitzgerald.
Favours ironstone hills.
W.A.: Albany, Bruce Rock, Dumbleyung, Gosnells, Jarnadup, Jarrahdale, Kalamunda, Narrogin, Stirling Range, Swan View, Warren River, Weld River, Yallingup. September - December
T. fasciculata, Fitzgerald; arranged in a bundle.
A species somewhat resembling T. canaliculata and T.
ixioides. Leaf linear, 1/4 in. to 3/4 in. long. Flowers
lilac-blue, about five in a raceme. Column with pointed lobes or
appendages and having no lobes or crest between them, but top of
column covered by a mass of glands like a bundle of twigs.
W.A.: Albany, Busselton, Swan View. September - October.
T. aristata, Lindley; bearded, referring to the
hair-tufts.
A tall robust plant. Leaf broad, about 7 in. long. Flowers
several, pale mauve; hood of column smooth at back, middle lobe
dilated, its crest level with the white hair-tufts.
W.A.: Maylands., Stirling Range, Swan View. September -
October.
New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria.
T. longifolia, Forster; long leaf.
Usually slender with a long narrow leaf. Flowers light purple.
Middle lobe of column hood scarcely notched and entire, smooth,
dark yellow and tubular in form. Points of lateral lobes of
column densely fringed with white hairs. The several flowers,
every one of which produces seed, are self-fertilised before
opening, and only open about noon for a little while on calm
sunny days.
W.A.: Darlington, Dumbleyung, Highbury, Jarnadup, Kalamunda, Katanniug, Narrogin,
Swan View, Wagin, York, September - November.
All other State.
T. nuda, R. Brown; naked.
An intermediate species between the forms of Thelymitra
that are independent, and those that are dependent upon insects
for fertilisation. Stem about 18 in. Leaf about 7 in long.
Flowers, pale mauve, as many as 12 or 13 in a spike Not
considered distinct from T. longifolia by Bentham.
W.A.: Albany. September.
New South Wale.
T. pauciflora, R. Brown; few-flowered.
A single-flowered (blue) variety, somewhat resembling T.
longifolia, but having the hood of column deeply divided. Not
considered distinct by Bentham.
W.A.: Albany. September.
New South Wale, Victoria.
T. mucida, Fitzgerald; mouldy.
A slender species, scarcely 1 ft. high. Leaf linear, about 6in.
long, thick but slightly channeled. Flowers, two or three, blue;
petals and sepals about 1/4 in. long. Column shorter and of a
squarer form than in other species, hooded, the hood deeply and
acutely emarginate with entire edges, very dark, but covered with
a heavy bloom resembling mildew, which rubs off. Extreme lateral
appendages produced horizontally, covered on the outside with
yellow cilia, smooth on the inside.
This orchid was found by Fitzgerald at Wilson's Inlet in September, on a plain in standing water in company with Microtis atrata, and he considered it a self-fertilising
species.
W.A.: Wilsons Inlet. September.
T. villosa, Lindley; hairy.
"CUSTARD ORCHID"
A rather stout species, usually above 1 ft. high, remarkable
for its ovate leaf, hairy on both sides as well as the sheath,
the rest of the plant being glabrous. Hairs on leaf run in
longitudinal lines parallel to the margins. Flowers, large,
yellow dotted with purple, in a loose raceme; middle lobe of the
hood undivided, crested at the end, and a transverse crest inside
the base. Lateral lobes of column densely fringed with
orange-yellow hairs projecting forward.
W.A.: Busselton, Darlington, Gosnells, Harvey, Highbury,
Kalamunda, Stirling Range, Swan View. September -
October.
T. tigrina, R. Brown; tiger like markings.
A slender plant. Leaf very narrow, glabrous and channeled.
Flowers, small, yellow, spotted. Sepals and petals under in.
long. Middle lobe of hood divided three times, without internal
crest.
W.A.: Albany, Dalwallinu. November.
T. Sargentii; Rogers; honouring O. H. Sargent, of
Perth, W.A.
A slender plant, up to 16 in., with a loose cylindrical sheath at
base of stem about 2 in. long. Leaf lanceolate, acuminate,
sheathing at base, reaching beyond the middle of the scape.
Raceme loosely flowered, from 4 to 5 ½ in. long. Flowers,
10 to 14, rather large for the genus, yellow with brown dots,
resembling those of T. fuscolutea. Perianth segments
spreading or suberect. Column elongated erect, yellow, spotted,
rather widely winged, produced high above the anther, three-lobed
at the apex, middle lobe incurved, not crested on the back,
deeply emarginate, the border otherwise entire, lateral lobes
ascending, densely bearded, (Described Transactions Royal Society
S.A., Vol. LIV., 1930.)
W.A.: Bencubbin, Bruce Rock, Dalwallinu. October.
T. stellata, Lindley; star-like.
A stout species, 1 to 1 ½ ft., closely allied to T.
fuscolutea. Flowers, yellow; sepals and petals
narrow-lanceolate. Column-hooded deeply fringed with linear
lobes, with a club shaped appendage on the back.
Dorsal appendage of the hood crested at the end.
W.A.: Armadale, King's Park, Perth, Jarnadup, Warren River.
October - January.
T. fuscolutea, R. Brown; brown and yellow-flowered.
"ORANGE ORCHID" "SPOTTED ORCHID"
A stout glabrous plant of 1 to 1½. ft. Leaf ovate or
oblong-lanceolate, 2 to 4 in. long. Flowers, very sweetly
scented, large, in a terminal raceme, yellow, spotted with brown;
sepals and petals broadly lanceolate. Dorsal appendage of the
hood of column smooth, tubercular and notched at the end.
W.A.: Albany, Darlington Dumbleyung, Gosnells, Jarnadup, Jarrahdale, Manjimup,
Stirling Range, Swan View, York. September-December.
T. flexuosa, Endlicher; undulating.
Stems slender, under 1 ft., wiry and flexuose, bending almost at
right angles to the leaf and at each of the bracts. Flowers,
smaller than other species; one to four, yellow, suffused with
red on the outside. Sepals and petals obtuse, about ¼ in.
long. Column-wing broadly truncate, slightly sinuate, but the
lobes scarcely prominent. Usually found growing on wet flats.
W.A.: Albany, Helena Vale, Midland Junction, Mundaring,
Pindalup, Pinjarra, Ravenswood. September - October.
T. antennifer, Hooker; bearing feelers.
"CANARY ORCHID" "LEMON ORCHID" "VANILLA ORCHID"
A small plant, stems erect, wiry, 6 in. to 1 ft. high, with
narrow-linear, rather thick leaves. Flowers, one, two or three;
yellow, sepals suffused with red on the outside, delicately
scented. Lateral lobes of the column reddish-brown, oblong,
erect, spathulate. Fertilised by insects. A common species.
W.A.: Albany, Lesmurdie, Mundaring, Perth, Waroona, York.
August - October.
South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria.
T. psammophila, Andrews; sand-loving.
Stem 5 to 8 in. high, slightly flexuose. Leaf narrow-linear,
1½ to 3 in. long, empty bracts two or three, leaflike,
½ in. long. Flowers, 2 to 4, sepals and petals ovate, more
or less acuminate, to nearly ½in, long, yellow.
Column-wing continued behind, but shorter than the anther, with a
broad rounded middle-lobe and narrow triangular lateral lobes, dark
reddish-brown in colour. No red colouring on outside of sepals
(Described Journal W.A. Natural History Society, May 1905.)
Favours sand plains.
W.A.: Stirling Range, Upper Kalgan River. October.
T. carnea, R. Brown; flesh-coloured.
A slender species from 6 to 9 in. high. Leaf narrow, channeled.
Flowers, one to three, small, pink to bright red, opening only in
the sun. Column wings produced laterally into two denticulate and
more or less roughened yellow horizontal lobes not bearing hair
tufts. Intermediate lobe broad, reddish, slightly denticulate,
and rather higher.
W.A.: Rarely Collected.
T. Macmillanii, F. von Mueller; honouring Thomas
Macmillan.
A dwarf species, about 6 in. high, leaf narrow-linear, channeled, bract-like,
dark green and smooth. Stem rigid, undulate and smooth. Flowers, two or three,
salmon pink, petals and sepals spreading, faintly veined, lip slightly shorter.
Column wings produced upwards into two tall yellow points with crested surface
and margins. A rare species.
W.A.: Highbury. October.
South Australia, Victoria.
T. variegata, Lindley; variegated.
"LEOPARD ORCHID"
Stem 1 ft. high or more. Leaf often spirally twisted about the
base of stem. Flowers 2 to 4, large, purple, spotted. Lateral
lobes of column orange-coloured, hornlike, oblong, erect, curved,
toothed. In a note accompanying his description of a new species,
Thelymitra d'Altonii, Dr. Rogers states that this
Victorian variety is "evidently a near relation of T.
spiralis, Lindi., and T. variegata, Lindi., two
ill-defined and possibly composite West Australian forms. . . .
The name variegata implies a character (presumably in the
flowers) which receives no reference in either of the original
descriptions." (Transactions Royal Society of S.A., Vol. LIV.,
1930). Dr. Rogers adds that Bentham retained only T.
variegata, expressing doubt as to the wisdom of uniting these
species, a point to be settled only after examination of a
plentiful supply of material.
W.A.: Applecross., Canning Bridge, Gosnells, Northam,
Perth, Wanneroo, Warren River. August - December.
Epib1ema, R. Brown
[ep-ee-blee-mer]
From epi, upon, and ballein, to lay or throw.
A West Australian genus resembling Thelymitra, but having
a clawed lip, limited to a single species.
E. grandiflorum, R. Brown; large-flowered.
A plant 1 to l ½ ft. high, with the habit of the slender
forms of Thelymitra ixioides, one long narrow-linear leaf
and 1 or 2 smaller erect leaves or sheathing scales. Flowers,
purplish-blue, 2 to 5, in a short raceme, sepals and petals to
¾ in. long, broadly oblong-lanceolate, veined like T.
ixioides all nearly similar. Lip on a short claw. Lateral
appendages of the column-hood oblique. Favours swampy flats.
W.A.: Albany, Balbarrup, Bayswater, Granite Bar. November - March.
Diuris, Smith
[die-you-riss.]
From dis, double, and oura, a tail; referring to
the two lower sepals of the flowers.
An Australian genus known as "Double-tails." The best known species in Western Australia is commonly called "Donkey Orchid." Other species of the genus can easily be identified by their resemblance to it in type of flower. Typical characteristics of the genus are the narrow leaves, few at or near the base of the stem, with a few sheathing bracts higher up, the curiously shaped flowers-one, two, or several-in a terminal raceme, the upper sepal short and broad, the two lower sepals narrow and curved, the two upper petals battle-dore shaped, with the lip deeply three-lobed, and total dependance on insects for fertilisation. Fitzgerald observed that from the compact nature of the pollen masses and the readiness with which they may be moved by the slightest touch of the rostellum, they must be most frequently fertilised by the pollen from other flowers. He noticed an affinity in stigma, rostellum and anther, to Thelymitra ixioides, and produced seed by crossings between this species and Diuris. Many botanists disagree with Bentham's arrangement of the genus, and consider that he has grouped species in some instances that should have been kept distinct.
T. laevis, Fitzgerald; smooth.
A slender species, 8 in. to 1 ft. high. Leaves from 3 to 6 in.
long, numerous, spirally twisted, enclosed at the base by a
sheath, Flowers, two to six, light yellow, petals elliptical,
about 1 in. long including the dark brown claw. Lateral
sepals, linear, green. Upper sepal almost triangular, embracing
the column, about half the length of the other sepals. Lip
three-lobed, lateral lobes half the length of the central one
falcate and toothed along the upper edges, streaked with dark
brown; central lobe ovate-rhomboid, linear at base, brown
markings. Wings of column same length as column, toothed,
(Described "Fitzgerald's Australian Orchids," Vol, 2.)
W.A. Albany, Busselton, Gosnells, York. September -October.
D. Purdiei, Diels; honouring Alexander Purdie, M.A.
A small species 6 or 8 in. high. Leaves narrow-linear, 2½
to 3 in. long. Upper sepal shorter than the lateral petals,
lateral sepals pointed, longer than the lip. Lateral petals with
a long claw, elliptical, yellow with purple veins, Lip
three-lobed, with two short raised lines, middle lobe large,
almost rhomboid, much longer than the small half-ovate lateral
lobes, which are deeply cleft on the outer side. Easily
recognised by the narrow leaves and by the lip very different to
other narrow-leaved Diuris species. (Described Journal
Proceedings Mueller Botanical Society, April, 1903). Favours wet
sandy flats.
W.A.: Bridgetown, Cannington, Pinjarra. October.
D. setacea, R. Brown; bristly.
Leaves 8 to 10, linear, spirally twisted. Flowers sulphur yellow.
Lip with a single keel from base to apex, middle lobe somewhat
spreading (From description by
O. H. Sargent, in Journal W.A. Natural History Society). Favours
loam and clay soil.
W.A.: Albany, Dumbleyung, Jarrahdale, Katanning, Pindalup, Pinjarra October-
November.
D. carinata, Lindley; keel-shaped, referring to the
keel-like structure of parts of the flower.
"BEE ORCHID"
Leaves, four or five, awl-shaped. Stem about 1 ft. high.
Flowers about ¼ in. wide and 1 in. long, yellow,
with a purple spot at base and apex of upper sepal and petal. Lip
with a double-keeled claw, middle lobe rather closely
reduplicate, one-keeled. (From description by O.H. Sargent in
Journal W.A. Natural History Society.) Favours swampy places and
wet clayey flats.
W.A.: Busselton, Darling Range, Highbury, Katanning, Kojonup,
Maddington, Pindalup, Toodyay, Wagin, York, September -
October.
D. filifolia, Lindley; thread-like leaves.
This species and D. carinata were not considered distinct by
Bentham from D. setacea. Dr. Diels (Journal Proceedings
Mueller Botanical Society, April, 1903) states: "I am quite sure
that these (D. setacea, D. carinata, and D.
filifolia) are three different species resembling each other
in foliage, but very different in flower. D. carinata,
Lindley, I believe to be the shorter, stouter plant found in the
Darling Range near Perth." Lindley's original description states
that the stem is much shorter than the sharp-point leaves,
flowers yellow, labellum lobed at middle, almost round at base,
and one-keeled. This species is not recognised as distinct by Dr.
Rogers from D. carinata
W.A.
D. emarginata, R. Brown; notched at margin.
A species closely resembling D. carinata but taller,
stouter and larger flowered. Leaves semi terete. Petals without
spots, often emarginate. Middle lobe of lip somewhat
spreading. Both this species and D. carinata inhabit swampy places
and flower in October. They often occur together when
intermediate forms, which I think must be hybrid, are found among them."
(Description and note by O. H. Sargent, Journal W.A. Natural
History Society)
WA: Albany, Harvey, Vaisse River, York. October.
D. longifolia, R. Brown; long leaf.
"DAMSEL ORCHID " "DINGO ORCHID" "DONKEY ORCHID" "PANSY
ORCHID"
From under 1 ft. high to considerably more. Leaves linear,
narrow or broad, usually very long. Flowers, three to five,
occasionally more, variable in size, yellow and brown, sometimes
heavily suffused with purple, when the resemblance to a pansy is
marked. The two upper petals are often 3/4in or more long, erect,
and are supposed to be like the ears of a donkey, lower
sepals as long, long, linea or dilated
above the middle. Upper sepal short and very broad. Lip
three-lobe from the base, lateral lobes nearly as long as the
middle one, middle lobe contracted into a claw at base, with a
fairly prominent line along the centre. A common species
favouring all conditions of soil and situation.
W.A.: Widely distributed
New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria.
D. pauciflora, R. Brown; few-flowered.
A slender plant, 6 in. to 1 ft. high. Leaves very narrow.
Flowers, one to three, yellow and purple. Petals ovate, about 1/2
in. long, including the very short claw, lateral sepals not
reflexed, linear, but rather broader than in most species. Upper
sepal shorter. Lip three-lobed from the base, lateral lobes not
half as long as middle lobe, with a slight central raised line
not half the length of lip. Favours wet sandy flats.
W.A.: Albany, Kalamunuda, Mt. Barker. October -
November.
Microtis, R. Brown
[my-krow-tiss]
From mikros, small, and ous, otos, an ear;
referring to the appearance of the anthers.
A genus commonly called "Mignonette Orchids" in Western Australia, and somewhat similar to Prasophyllum in habit, but easily distinguished from it by the smaller flowers numerous on a terminal spike, which are usually greenish and not reversed. The stigma is enclosed within a hood formed by the lateral appendages of the column. Fertilisation is performed by insects, which, by touching the very small and sensitive rostellum, cause the pollen either to fall and adhere to the stigma, or be carried by them to aother flower. Like Prasophyllum, species are considered difficult to identify.
The genus Microtis extends to New Zealand and also to New Caledonia, Java, Formosa, Philippines, Japan and Southern China. Seven of the nine Australian species are endemic.
M. porrifolia, Sprengel; leek-leaved,
A tall, stout species over 1 ft. high, with a long leaf and dense
spike of small greenish flowers, Lateral petals relatively wide,
oblong-oval, much shorter than the recurved lateral sepals,
upper sepal wide, concave. Lip with three
callosities on the disk, notched at tip, the margin usually
crisped.
W.A.: Albany, Darlington, Swan View. October.
All other Australian States.
M. truncata, Rogers; truncate, referring to shape of
lip.
A plant of slender habit. Spike about 8 & 1/2in. long,
bearing about 40 distant flowers. Flowers light-coloured, on
short stalks, subtended by a small awl-like bract reaching a
little above the base of the much twisted ovary. Petals
linear-falcate, as long as lateral sepals, which are recurved or
rolled back in mature flowers, upper sepal broad; lip truncate
with three well-defined callosities, two at the base and one in
the middle extending almost to the tip. (Described Transactions
and Proceedings Royal Society S.A., XLIV., 1920.)
W.A.: - Albany, Greenbushes, Jarnadup. December.
M. parviflora, R. Brown; small-flowered.
A slender plant about 3 in. high. Leaf-lamina leek-like, usually
much exceeding the inflorescence. Flowers green, on short stalks,
smaller than those of M. porrifolia, commonly in a fairly
dense spike, but the latter often attenuated. Lateral sepals
recurved or revolute in the mature flower. Lip entire, with two
well-defined callosities at base, none at tip.
WA.
All other Australian States.
M. media, R. Brown; intermediate.
A tall species, leaf narrow, flowers white, much recurved, lip
notched at tip, with two definite lateral basal callosities.
W.A.; Albany, Jarnadup, Pinjarra, York.
September-December.
M. alba, R. Brown; white.
Stems often above 1 ft. high. Leaf with a long sheath, the blade
often exceeding the spike. Flowers numerous, much incurved,
white, in a sometimes very dense spike. Lateral sepals rolled
back. Upper sepal acuminate, contracted at the base. Lip broadly
two-lobed, the margins wavy or fringed. Favours all varieties of
soil.
W.A.: Albany, Cannington, Dumbleyung, Greenbushes, Harvey,
Jarnadup, Jarrahdale, Mandurah, Pindalup, Stirling Range,
York. October - December.
M. orbicularis, Rogers; disk-shaped labellum.
Stem rush-like, Lip to about 12 in., leaf sometimes longer,
sometimes shorter than the spike. Spike, rising at a slight angle
to the stem, not crowded and with a flatter appearance than in
other species of the genus. Flowers, light green, minute,
sessile. Dorsal sepal forms an obtuse hood over the column,
lateral sepals about the same length or shorter than dorsal
sepal, shorter than lip and hidden by it. Lateral petals very
minute and spreading, points curving backwards. Lip broad and
obtuse, projecting downwards. Column very small, with distinct
linear auricles. Favours swampy ground.
W.A.: Bellevue, Cannington, Highbury, Pindalup. October.
South Australia.
M. atrata, Lindley; blackened, referring to the
specimens drying black.
A minute species. Leaf short but with the long sheath reaching
almost to the tiny flowers in a rather dense spike of 1/2 to 1
in., lateral sepals very blunt, not hidden, spreading, not
recurved or revolute, upper sepal broad, lip broad, entire. Grows
in wet places.
W.A.: Albany, Gosnells, Guildford, Kalamunda, Midland
Junction, Pindalup,
South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria.
M. pulchella, R. Brown; beautiful.
Stem slender, under 1 ft. Leaf narrow and short. Flower-spike not
dense, rarely 2 in. long. Upper sepal blunt, not much broader
than the spreading lateral sepals; petals incurved over column,
same length but much narrower than lateral sepals.
W.A.: Swan View. September.
M. gymnadenoides, Diels; like Gymnadenia.
Stem slender with one basal scale, 10 to 18 in. high. Leaf rather
long, the free part from 4 to 7 in. Spike rather long, narrow,
cylindrical. Flowers white, upper sepal broad, ovate, concave,
with a small point at the top; lateral sepals spreading, not
recurved, rather blunt, much like the lateral petals, but a
little broader. Lip crisped in the middle part, the disk marked
by two small appendages, and bearing a small thickening towards
the end. (Described Journal Proceedings Mueller Society, April,
1903). Note by Dr. Diels: "Collected close to Albany toward the
north in wet, sandy flats. This species seems to be related to
M. pulchella. It is different, however, from Bentham's
description, in the longer leaf, the dorsal sepal wider and more
concave, the crisped margin of the labellum, and the larger
flowers."
W.A.: Albany district. November.
Goadbyella, Rogers
[goad-be-ella]
Honouring Lt.-Colonel B. T. Goadby, a West Australian
botanist and collector.
A genus most c1osely related to Microtis, but with flowers reversed, column more slender and elongated, dorsal sepal narrow and non-cucullate, and lateral sepals wide and truncate.
G, gracilis, Rogers; graceful.
A very slender plant with the leaf-blade reaching well above the
base of the spike. Flowers reversed, numerous, greenish-yellow,
small, rather distant and pedicellate below, much closer and
sessile above. Dorsal sepal narrowly oblong, or ob-cuneate, very
blunt at the apex, incurved over the column. Lateral sepals
spreading below the lip, free, oblong, truncate; margins of the
lower half entire, then wavy and fringed with calli, part of
surface more or less ornamented with groups of calli.
three-nerved. Petals erect, linear, slightly falcate, very blunt,
one-nerved, nearly equal to the column. Lip sessile, basal
margins entire, expanding into two some-what rounded lobes with
waved margins fringed with glandular calli lamina three-nerved,
with two raised parallel lines in the lower half and a group of
glandular calli near the middle of expanded portion. Column
somewhat slender, narrow and not winged below, expanded abruptly
at the apex, auricles long and oblique, oblong with rounded
apices. (Described Transactions Royal Society of S.A., LI.,
1927.) Favours jarrah forest. Note by Dr. Rogers: "This plant
forms an interesting link between Prasophyllum and
Microtis, both of which it resembles in habit. From
Prasophyllum it is readily distinguished by the shape of
the labellum, and especially by a very different column. The
lateral sepals of Goadbyella are broad truncate and very
ornate, in striking contrast to the same segments in species of
Prasophylum and Microtis".
W.A.: Pindalup. November
Prasophyllum, R. Brown
[praise-o-fill-um ]
From prasos, a leek, and phyilos, a leaf; referring
to the leek-like leaves.
Species of this genus are commonly called "Leek Orchids.' The genus is easily recognised by the sheathing leaf and spike of small inverted flowers, but many of the species are difficult to determine. The spikes of whitish flowers tinged or streaked with green and purple, are not specially attractive to the flower hunter, yet the beauty of a single bloom when beheld through a magnifying-glass is amazing. The sepals and petals are narrow and inconspicuous. The lip on the upper side of the flower is broad and slightly waved at the edge, often bearing an inner plate The column is very short.
The various species of Prasophyllum are wholly dependent on insects for fertilisation, and there is a marked difference in the number fertilised according to situation. Sometimes solitary plants will not have a single flower fertilised, yet when growing in groups, generally in a rushy flat-perhaps the haunt of some particular insect - every flower on every plant will be fertilised. Hybridisation of different species is common and no doubt responsible for specimens that have been collected bearing flowers on the same spike having characteristics of species so different as to have been placed by Bentham in separate sections dividing those with a rigid sessile lip from others having the lip on a short claw.
P. australe, R. Brown; southern.
Often slender, usually over 1 ft. in height. Leaf-blade usually
shorter than the spike. Flowers, sessile in a rather loose spike,
sweet-scented, with prevailing tints of white, brown and green.
Perianth segments all very acute, sepals nearly equal in length,
the dorsal one erect or recurved, or recurved, ovate-lanceolate,
the lateral ones sometimes free at extreme base, and united
beyond almost to the tips. Petals erect yellowish-green with wide
reddish-brown stripe down the centre, narrower and rather shorter
than the lateral sepals Lip conspicuously white, callous part
prominently raised, ending close to the bend, ovary long and very
slender. An uncommon species.
W.A.
All Australian States. October-December.
P. elatum, R. Brown; tall.
"PIANO ORCHID"
This species is well named as it is one of the tallest
terrestrial orchids in Australia. West Australian children see
a resemblance in the pearly white of the lip and the darkly
streaked sepals and petals in the long spikes of closely set
flowers to the black and white keys of a piano. The stem is
sometimes 6 ft. high, with the long sheath covering a great part
of it. Flowers largely white, often dusky, tinged with green and
purple, nearly sessile in a spike of 4 to 8 in. or more. Lateral
sepals united from about the middle almost to the tips, petals
usually spreading. Lip as long as the petals, ovate-oblong, the
margins wavy, and the inner plate occupying the greater part of
its surface. Lateral appendages exceeding the column in height. A
common species found in all classes of country.
W.A.: Widely distributed. September.
New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria,
P. Muelleri, Andrews; honouring F. von Mueller.
A tall plant, often 4 ft. in height, differing from P.
elatum in that the lip instead of being sessile is hinged on
a short claw. Lateral sepals often quite free. Favours stony
ridges.
WA.: Swan View. September.
P. regium, Rogers; king-like.
A robust plant up to 3 ½ ft. or more, leaf not reaching
to top of flower-spike. Flowers white, tinged with green and
purple, in a rather loose spike sometimes 16 in. long, cormposed
of upwards of 50 flowers, with lower blossoms distant. Lip on a
distinct claw, recurved at right angles, inner plate thin,
membraneous, orbicular-lanceolate, margin entire, extending
nearly to tip, no secondary plate. Lateral appendages of column
exceeding rostellum in height. (Described Transactions Royal
Society S.A., Vol. XLII., 1918.)
W.A.; Manjimup. December.
P. lanceolatum, Rogers; lanceolate, referring to the shape of perianth
segments and lip.
A rather slender plant, about 18 in. high, with two long overlapping
tubular sheaths at base of stem. Leaf-blade about 6 in, long, not reaching as
high as spike. Spike about 6 in. long. Flowers rather distant, dark reddish-brown
segments of perianth narrow-lanceolate, upper sepal nearly ½ in. long,
slightly incurved, longer than lateral sepals. Lateral petals shorter. Lip on
a very short claw, about ¼ in. long, lanceolate, membraneous border narrow,
not crisped, margin entire, almost plain, inner plate relatively large, lanceolate,
extending to within a short distance of the apex. (Described Transactions and
Proceedings Royal Society, S.A., XLIV., 1920.)
W.A.: Albany, Muresk, Perth. October.
P. ellipticium, Rogers; referring to shape of lip.
A tall, robust plant of about 3 ft. Spike rather crowded with
numerous pale green flowers, nearly 1 ft. long. Leaf-blade not
reaching to top of spike. Flowers sessile on a slender ovary.
Perianth segments (excepting lip) rather narrow; lateral sepals
about ½ in. long, upper sepal longer, lateral petals
shorter. Lip on a very short claw, elliptical, about ¼ in.
long and ¼ in. wide, erect at base, recurved to-wards the
tip, outer membraneous margin white, wide and voluminous, much
crisped inner plate also membraneous oval, with a rather blunt
short apical projection commencing about the bend but not nearly
reaching the tip, attached to outer plate at base and apical
projection, margin otherwise free. Lateral appendages of column
exceeding the rostellum in height. (Described Transactions and
Proceedings Royal Society S.A., XLIV., 1920.)
W.A.: Jarnadup. December.
P. fimbria, Reichenbach fil; fringed.
A tall species with the habit and size of flowers of P.
elatum, but with a very different lip. Flowers white, shaded
with purple. Sepals nearly ½ in. long, petals shorter,
linear. Lip as long as sepals, on a tiny but distinct narrow
claw, upper part broad with fringed or crisped margins, inner
plate ending above the middle in a broad, free, densely crisped
margin, and within it in the centre of the lip, a more or less
conspicuous second plate with scarcely prominent entire margins.
Distribution general and common.
W.A.: Albany, Darlington, Jarnadup, Mundijong. September
December.
P. hians, Reichenbach; yawning.
Stem 4 in. to 2 ft. or more high, leaf-sheath loose. Flowers
white, tinged with reddish-green or with purple markings, in
rather a dense spike. Sepals over ¼ in. long, the lateral
ones united almost to the apex, very thin and whitish near their
line of junction; petals longer than lateral sepals, more dilated
than in other species. Lip sessile, rather broad at base, but not
swollen, recurved above the middle, margins wavy, the inner-plate
much narrower, olive-green coloured, forming a longitudinal
central thickening, ending at the bend or a little beyond it,
in a thick fringed callus. A common species.
W.A.: Widely distributed. October.
P. cyphochillum, Bentham; curved lip.
Stem 1 to 2 ft., leaf-blade short and slender. Flowers small,
white tinged with reddish-purple, lip with a swollen base forming
a short pouch protruding between the lateral sepals.
W.A.: Albany, Darling Range, Gosnells, Highbury, Perth, Pindalup, Wagin, Welshpool, York, September.
P. ovale, Lindley; oval.
Stem slender, above 1 ft. high, leaf-sheath and blade long.
Flowers small, white tinged with green and purple, in a spike of
3 to 6 in., not dense. Lateral sepals and petals linear, all
nearly equal, upper sepal
white, wider than other segments. Lip nearly as long as lateral
sepals, oval, membraneous part white, with entire margins,
slightly scalloped towards the tip, callous part smooth, green.
triangular, extending from the base to slightly beyond the
middle, shiny, glandular, much narrower than the membraneous
part, not swollen at base. A common species.
W.A.: Albany, Darlington, Gosnells, Highbury, Kalamunda,
Narrogin, Perth, Pindalup, Stirling Range, Wagin, York,
September- October.
var. triglochin, Reichenbach fil; Rogers.
Note by Dr. Rogers "Lateral petals 2.5 mm, long; sepals 3 mm. long; labellum
oval or bluntly elliptical, 2.5 mm. long. The leaf of this species is stated
by Bentham to have a long lamina. An examination of a large number of specimens
in the field and herbarium indicate that the leaf-lamina is almost invariably
short as in the case of P. cyphochlum.
W.A.: Lake Chockerup.
P. macrostachyum1 R. Brown; long spike.
A slender plant; flowers, greenish-white, sometimes deep
purple rather distant in a long spike. Lateral sepals awl-shaped,
twice as long as petals.
This orchid is occasionally found with the spike once-forked for
about half its length, giving it a double-headed appearance.
A light green variety favours moist places in loamy clay soil,
and dark purple flowered form is found on clay flats covered in
winter months with standing water.
W.A.: Albany, Dumbleyung, Highbury, Katanning, Kojonup, Midland Junction, Narrogin, Pindalup, Swan View, Waddering, September - October.
P. attenuatum, Fitzgerald; attenuated.
A very slender, wiry species, 12 to 18 in. high, leaf 9 in.,
blade 3 in. Flowers about 40, not dense, on a spike of about 5
in. Lateral sepals not two lines, greenish with white edges,
oblong, cucullate at the ends with blunt points. Dorsal sepal
about 2 lines oblong, hardly acuminate, slightly recurved. Lip
about 2 lines ovate-oblong, pouched at end. Disk about two-thirds
length of lip, hardly raised above it, with five slight ridges
towards the end. Lower lobe obtuse. (Described Gardener's
Chronicle, XVII., pp.495.)
W.A.: Bunbury. September.
P. plumaforme, Fitzgerald; feathery.
A slender species, 12 to 18 in. high. Leaf about 6 in., blade
hardly 2 in. Flowers about 40 in a long feathery spike.
Sepals and petals oblong, acuminate, about 2 lines. Lateral
sepals white with green stripes. Dorsal sepal red-brown edged
with white. Petals white with purple stripe. Lateral sepals not
united. Lip not curved, oblong, tapering, slightly reflexed for
about one-third of its length, two parallel raised lines on the
disc. Lateral appendages of column falcate, acuminate; unequally
two-lobed. Rostellum slender, longer than the appendages, anther
short, hardly acuminate. (Described Gardener's Chronicle, XVII.,
pp.495.)
W.A.: Albany. August.
P. triangulare, Fitzgerald; triangular-shaped lip.
A rather robust species, 12 in. or more high, very dark coloured.
Leaf about 10 in. long, blade about 5 in. Flowers dark red brown,
about 30 in a long spike, lateral sepals united almost to their
points, together ovate-acuminate, glandular at base and along
joined edges. Dorsal sepal rather longer, about 3 lines. Petals
lanceolate, shorter than sepals. Lip about 2 lines on a rather
long claw, triangular, very slightly recurved, edges entire,
slightly undulate, the disc forming a raised triangular plate
nearly as large
as lip, somewhat swollen towards point and irregularly covered
with small sessible calli. Appendages to column broad at base,
falcate, acuminate, equal in length to rostellum, thickened on
outer margin with three or more callosities. Anther much shorter
than rostellum, hardly acuminate. (Described Gardener's
Chronicle, XVII., pp.495.)
W.A.: Albany. October.
P. parvifolium, Lindley; small-leaved.
Stem slender, 9 in. to over 1 ft. high, the leaf above the middle
of the stem, with a short slender blade. Flowers white and green,
faintly streaked with crimson, five seven or less, in a loose
raceme of 2 or 3 in.
W.A. Albany, Bayswater, Busselton, Greenmount, Kalamunda, Muresk, Swan View, June-September.
P. gibbosum, R. Brown; curved.
Stems from under 6 in. to 1 ft., leaf-sheath long, with a long
narrow-linear blade. Flowers in a rather dense spike sepals and
petals obtuse. Lip nearly as long as the sepals, linear-oblong,
the upper part recurved, margin slightly wavy the inner-plate not
very conspicuous.
W.A.: Gosnells. September.
P. cucullatum, Reichenbach fil; hooded, referring to
the formation of lateral sepals.
A species closely allied to P. gibbosum, and considered by
Bentharn to be perhaps a variety only, but admitted as distinct
by Dr. Rogers. A smaller plant with usually a dense blunt spike,
1 to 1 ½ in. long, of white and purple sweet-scented
flowers, but sometimes single-flowered. The lateral sepal. are
the shortest segments of the perianth, and are joined a their
extreme tips, forming a hood in front of the lip. Upper sepal
dark purple at the base, purple stripe down centre. Lip on a long
springy claw, at first erect, then bent forwards almost at a
right angle.
W.A.: Pinjarra, Porongorups, Ravenswood. September -
October.
Caleana, R.
Brown
[caley-ann-er]
Named in honour of George Caley, an early collector of New South
Wales plants. Sometimes called Caleyana.
An Australian genus closely related to Drakea, but readily distinguished from it by the wide wings of the column forming a kind of pouch open or closed by the movements of the irritable lid-like lip, which acts as a trap for insects forced against the column by the spring of the lip. Ovary usually recurved, reversing the flower. Fertilised by struggling insects that are caught and held.
C. nigrita, Lindley; dark.
"LADY'S SLIPPER ORCHID"
A small plant with a radical ovate leaf. Stem about 6 in.
high. Flower reversed, usually solitary, reddish-brown to deep
purple, on stalk of ½ to 1 in. Segments of the perianth
narrow-linear. Lateral sepals incurved and appressed against the
dilated wings of the column. Upper sepals incurved and
appressed against the back of the column. Petals narrow at
base, then spathulate, appressed against column wings. Lip on a
springy claw, lobed. Column yellowish green, wings forming a
boat-shaped pouch. Often found associated with Drakaea
elastica.
W.A.: Boyup Brook, Collie, Maida Vale, Peel Estate.
Spiculaea,
Lindley
[spy-cue-lay]
Meaning a little spike
An Australian genus of 3 species separated from Drakaea because of differences in the structure of the column. Eastern states species are known as "Elbow" or "Hammer Orchids." In Drakaea the auricles and wings of the column are broadly and bluntly triangular, and are situated near the base of the column. In Spiculaea they are actually long-triangular in shape, being placed towards the base of the column.
S. ciliata, Lindley; hairy.
"ELBOW ORCHID"
A small species from 2 ½ to 5 ½ in. high. Stem
rigid, becoming dark red as the plant dies. The leaf withers when
the flower scape is about 1 ½ in. high. When the flowers
begin to open the stem slowly withers from the base upwards,
leaving moisture conserved in the upper portion of the plant.
Flowers from 2 to 6 in a spike, tan coloured. Dorsal sepal
narrow-linear, nearly ½ in. long, concave, glabrous, tip
blunt, curved, and pointing downwards; remaining sepals amost
thread-like, bent back along pedicel. Lip greenish, movable on a
short claw at base of column, and attached to claw by a linear
stalk under ½ in. long, hanging vertically downwards;
lamina of ~ip hammer-shaped, tapering to a blunt tip. Lower
portion o~ lamina smooth, with a narrow flesh curved tooth
projecting upwards, margins rolled inwards. Upper portion of lip
with concave margins fringed with dark glandular hairs, tip
dark-coloured, blunt. Column rather shorter than dorsal sepal,
curved downwards. Wings narrow, extending downwards from tip of
column. U-shaped, ending in thread-like points. Favours dry
granite shelves and crevices wet in winter through seepage from
higher soil. Often associated with Borya nitida.
W.A.: Boya, Bruce Rock, Swan View, York. October -
November
Drakaea,
Lind1ey
[drake-ee-er]
Named in honour of Miss Drake, a botanical artist.
A West Australian genus of plants commonly called "Hammer Orchids," owing to the curious hammer-like appearance and action of the lip, delicately poised on a slender, hinged, stem-like claw Flowers dull, dark reddish-purple and green, sepals and two petals narrow and inconspicuous. Leaf solitary at, or near, the base of stem.
Fitzgerald disagreed with many botanists regarding the sensitiveness of the lip of Drakaea assisting in the fertilisation of the species, except by attraction, and questioned its often asserted power of impelling an insect against the column.
D. elastica, Lindley; springy.
"PRAYING VIRGIN"
Stem, 6 in. high or more, leaf heart-shaped, thick and fleshy,
about ½ in. diameter. Flower, solitary. Sepals and petals
linear, about ½ in. long, lateral sepals and petals
reflexed; dorsal sepal longer and erect. Lip very elastic, top of
the basal portion covered with short thick hairs or calli, lower
lobe solid and fleshy, half as long as the upper part, upturned
at tip. The lower section of the arm on which the lip is
supported, is marked with dark and light bands. Favours sandy
flats, often found near burnt logs associated with Caleana
nigrita.
W.A.: Albany, Gosnells, Collie, Jarnadup, Kendenup, Maylands,
Margaret River, Pinjarra, York. September - October.
D. Fitzgeraldii, Schlecter; honouring R. D.
Fitzgerald.
The following translation from the German of Schlecter's
description (Fedde, XVII., 1921, pp.81) has been kindly supplied
by Dr. R. S. Rogers: "This plant has been incorrectly identified
with D. elastica, Lindley, from which it certainly differs
specifically. The leaves are more roundly ovate, and not so
distinctly reniform or circular; the stem is generally shorter.
The lateral sepals and petals are not directed downwards, but
curved forwards and backwards so that they cross one another. The
labellum is furnished with warty growths to beyond the middle,
and particularly in the middle and along the margins; anteriorly
it is distinctly turned upwards with an emarginate apex; the
posterior extension of the labellum, which in D. elastica
is distinctly narrowed in the lower part, is in this species
plainly elongate. Likewise the margins of column are more
conspicuously widened than in D. elastica
Locality: District of Perth, flowers September, This species is illustrated under the name of D. elastica by Fitzgerald in 'Australian Orchids,' Vol. II., Part I. (1884), plate 4."
D. glyptodon, Fitzgerald; lip resembling a
glyptodon.
A species somewhat like D. elastica, but differing in the
proportions and surface of the lip, the longer lobe being very
hairy except at its extreme tip which is smooth but not up
turned, shorter lobe glandular but not hairy. The whole lip
resembles in form (miniature, of course) the enormous extinct
tortoise-monster, glyptodon, a creature as large as an ox and
covered with tesselated scales. Favours moist sandy flats
W.A.: Boyup Brook, Collie, Margaret River, Pinjarra. October -
September
D. Jeanensis, Rogers; honouring Jean S. Rogers. 
Somewhat similar to D. elastica and D. g1yptodon. Leaf emerald-green, radical, orbicular or heart-shaped, glabrous. Stem very slender.
Flowers bright reddish-brown, longer lobe of lip quite smooth except for a few hairs at extreme base near insertion of claw, not glandular, not upturned at tip, shorter lobe very glandular and densely covered with branching hairs.
(Described Transactions and Proceedings Royal Society, S.A., XLIV., 1920.)
Often found associated with D. glyptodon.
W.A.: Maida Vale, Pinjarra. October.
Pterostylis, R. Brown
[terro-style-iss]
From pteros, a wing, and stylos, a style.
The largest and one of the most interesting genera among Australian orchids, The various species are commonly called "Greenhoods" because of the shape and colour of the flower usually greenish, tinged or streaked with red or brown. The main part of the hood (known botanically as the galea) is formed of the upper sepal and the two lateral petals, lightly attached. The two lower sepals are joined to form a kind of forked door to the front of the hood. The lip usually is irritable, small and tongue like, with a spur at its base, and is placed inside the joined lower sepals. The long column concealed within the hood is winged hence the name Pterostylis.
The genus includes nearly sixty known species, of which over 40 are Australian, and most of these are endemic. It extends to New Zealand, New Caledonia and New Guinea. Species of Pterostylis, owing to the curious formation of the flowers and what one might term their "habits," are of particular interest to botanists and scientists. The genus is mentioned by Darwin in his book on the fertilisation of orchids, as follows:-
"The flap of the labellum is irritable and hangs out below the hood. If an insect lands on it, it instantly moves and imprisons the visitor against the column, and the only mode of escape is by squeezing past the stigma. After half an hour the lip goes down again and is ready for another capture."
This peculiarity is known to most children, who love to touch a sensitive lip and watch its lightning upward spring. P. vittata, commonly called "Cockatoo Orchid," a species common in Western Australia, is a favourite for such demonstrations. Fitzgerald's observations upon the genus and individual species, recorded in his work on Australian orchids, are intensely interesting, as are also the published notes of Dr. R. S. Rogers.
Fitzgerald formed the opinion that, in spite of Nature's marvellous schemes to ensure fertilisation of the various species of. Pterostylis, they are seldom reproduced naturally by seeds, and that the fact of their being found so frequently in groups pointed to reproduction by tubers or leading roots, which may be swept out of the ground by heavy rain-storms, rooted up by animals or ants, and washed or blown away, to vegetate elsewhere. It has been found, however, that many varieties of Pterostylis can be cultivated from seed, as well as by transplantation, quite easily, and healthy plants in various stages of development may be found nourishing in the greenhouses of many orchid lovers.
In Mr. O. H. Sargent, Western Australia has an orchid enthusiast who is not only an accomplished botanist, but a keen student of Nature. From him we learn that the flowers of some species of Pterostylis contain sticky juices that attract and intoxicate visiting insects, thus compelling them to remain within the flower long enough either to effect fertilisation there, or make sure of pollen being attached to body or wings to be carried on subsequently to another flower.
Plate II.
Two species of the genus in P. barbata and P.
turfosa, the latter endemic to Western Australia and known as
the "Bird orchid," supply a most striking illustration of that
characteristic so often quoted as one by which an orchid may be
easily recognised
-the difference of the third petal or "lip" to the other two and
the sepals. No contrast could be greater than the long and
slender thread-like protruberance bearded with bristling hairs,
to the solid structure of the rest of the flower.
P. nana, R. Brown; stunted.
"SNAIL ORCHID"
A small slender plant. Leaves in a radical rosette, lower
stem-leaves heart-shaped, upper ones lanceolate, stem-clasping.
Flower over ½ in. long, erect, abruptly curved towards the
end. Lower part broadly cuneate, about 1-3 in. long without the
linear-subulate lobes, the long points embracing the galea. Lip
linear, obtuse, about ¼ in. long. Column half the length
of the galea, the wings with a small lanceolate upper lobe or
tooth, the lower lobe oblong and obtuse. Favours moist shady
places.
W.A.: Albany, Busselton, Highbury, Jarnadup, Mt. Barker.
September - October.
New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania. Victoria.
P. pyramidalis, Lindley; pyramid-like, referring to the
foliage growth.
"GNOME ORCHID" "GREEN DEVILS" "SLY ORCHID"
A species of variable size, sometimes nearly 1 ft. high.
Leaves usually crowded at base of stem, passing gradually into
stem leaves and scales, but the basal leaves are not always
present. Flowers green, similar to P. nana. By some
botanists this species is not considered distinct from P.
nana, plants of intermediate form being often found. Dr.
Rogers, however, is of the opinion that the two species are
distinct.
W.A.: Albany, Gosnells, Jarnadup. Margaret River, Riverton,
Stirling Range, York. August - October.
P. reflexa, R. Brown; bent back. (See P. robusta.)
P. robusta, Roger.; sturdy.
"SHELL ORCHID"
A slender species, plant without any rosette of
ovate radical leaves at time of flowering. Stem leaves
lanceolate, usually four or five including the floral bract.
Flower whitish green with deeper green longitudinal stripes,
rather large single. Galea gradually curved forward at the apex;
dorsal sepal with a short slender point, lower lip erect, sepals
tapering to thread-like points, embracing and much exceeding the
galea. Lip irritable, on a movable claw, practically straight
lanceolate, tapering into a point, in the erect position very
slightly exceeding the column. Column erect, the upper angle of
the wing acute, the lower lobe oblong-obtuse with in turned
ciliated margins. Prefers shady places and favour coastal
districts, frequently being found beneath peppermint trees
(Agonis flexuosa). Note by Dr. Rogers: "Apparently with
some hesitation, this plant was included by Bentham in P.
reflexa, R. Brown. It differs from the latter, however, in
its shorter stem, wider leaves, and relatively short, straight
labellum which does not protrude through the sinus of the lower
lip, as in the sinus of R. Brown's plant."
W.A.: Albany, Ludlow, Margaret River, Swanbourne, York. May -
July.
All other Australian States
P. Rogersii, Coleman; honouring Dr. R. S. Rogers, M.A.,
M.D., F.L.S.
A plant of from 4 to 8 in. in height. Radical leaves not
present at time of flowering, stem leaves 4 to 7, lower leaves
bract-like. Flower, solitary, translucent white or grey, with red
stripes on perianth segments, column and labellum. Galea slightly
bent but not abruptly curved. Lower lip erect, sinus acute. Lip
on an irritable claw, markedly recurved, protruding through the
sinus, lamina tapering to a long obtuse point. Column erect.
(Described "Victorian Naturalist," Vol. XLVI., September,
1929.) Favours sandy soil.
W.A.: Augusta, Bunbury, Busselton, Collie, Ludlow, Margaret
River. June - July.
P. constricta, Sargent; contracted.
A small one-flowered specis about 3 in. high, first leaves ovate
in a radical rosette. F1ower stem slender, flexuose, without
radical leaves, but having narrow-lanceolate leaves that increase
in length up to ¾ in. towards top of stem. Flower
¾in. long, bright or bronze green, upper sepal and petals
forming hood-like galea. Lateral sepals joined at base and erect
in front of galea, the upper portions with a deep V-shaped
separation, then tapering into erect points embracing the galea.
Lip on a short claw, lanceolate, blunt, edges sharply turned down
about two-thirds of the way between base and apex, and just above
this constriction, the lip bends abruptly forwards: appendages to
the lip densely hairy. (Described Journal Proceedings Royal
Society W.A., No. 4, 1907.)
W.A.: Bruce Rock, Narrogin, York. July - August
P. recurva, Bentham; bent back.
"ANTELOPE ORCHID" "BULL ORCHID"
Stems 1 to 1½ft. high, rigid, flowers one to three,
without radical rosette of leaves, reddish-green, over an inch
long. Lip triangular, ending in a rigid point. This species is
easily identified by the conspicuously recurved or bent back
points of the lower sepals. Grows usually in low scrub.
W.A.: Albany, Bayswater, Busselton, Dumbleyung,Highbury,
Kalamunda, Kendenup, King's Park, Perth, Kojonup, Stirling Range,
Swanbourne. August - September.
P. turfosa, Lindley; growing in a damp place.
"BIRD ORCHID"
Stem short, slender, one-flowered, leaves linear, all nearly
equal and equally distant along the stem. Flower green, mottled
and striped, the edge of galea and lower sepals tinged with red.
Galea upright, over 1 in. long, with a long point, and much
contracted in the middle, thus forming two openings or doorways
to the interior of the flower, the lower ostensibly for the entry
of insects, and the upper one for their departure only, entry
there being prevented by an arrangement consisting of a barricade
formed by the crossing of the upper angles of the column wings,
further safeguarded by two hairs that are automatically released
from the point of the galea when the flower is ready for
fertilisation, and cross each other in front of the opening. This
device, however, does not hinder the egress of an insect visitor. Lower part of
galea linear, with spreading lobes ending in long points. Lip
thread-like, bearded with long lateral hairs, and having a
clavate point. This orchid has been confused by many
collectors with P. barbata, an Eastern States species. Favours
moist, shady spots, chiefly loamy clay.
W.A.: Albany, Gooseberry Hill, Jarnadup, Mahogany Creek,
Parkerville, Pindalup, Pinjarra, Woogenellup, York, August -
October.
P.rufa, R. Bwown; reddish.
Stem 6 to 10 in. high with several bracts. Leaves in a radical
rosette wither before the flowers are out. Flowers, three to
four, often more green than red. Galea nearly ½ in. long,
curved, with a long, fine point in front. Lower part on a rather
long basal projection of the column and hanging down from it, the
sepals terminating in long fine points, variable in length. Lip
on a short claw, obtuse. Column reaching to end of galea.
W.A.: Bencubbin, Boyup Brook, Bruce Rock, Wongan Hills, York.
October - November.
All other Australian States.
P. Sargentii, Andrews; honouring O.H. Sargent.
Stem 3 to 5 in. high. Leaves in a radical rosette wither before
flowers appear. Stem-leaves or empty bracts lanceolate,
stem-clasping. Flowers. 1 or 2. Galea about ½in. long,
curved forward. Upper sepal ending in a short upturned point,
lateral petals very shortly pointed, their junction with the
upper sepal marked by lines of white hairs inside the galea.
Lower part ½ in. long, pointing downwards, the lobes
ending in very short thread-like points. Lip on a broad claw,
glabrous, three-lobed, the middle lobe triangular, not ¼
in. long, with a ridge down the middle; lateral lobes
linear-lanceolate, slightly curved, produced at the base into
erect thick club-shaped dark brown appendages. Column nearly as
long as the galea, with short almost orbicular wings on either
side of the rostellum. (Described Journal W.A. Natural History
Society May, 1905)
Note by Dr. Andrews: "The labellum and its appendages are
quite different from those of any other species and the column
wings have no lower lobe. I have not seen the lines of hairs
inside the galea in any other species."
W.A.: Bencubbin, Bruce Rock, Dalwallinu, York. JuIy -
October.
P.vittata, Lindley; banded.
"BELL ORCHID" "COCKATOO ORCHID" "HELMET ORCHID"
Often a stout leafy plant from 8 in. to over 1 ft. high. Leaves
of seedlings heart-shaped in a flat rosette; in the mature plant,
lanceolate, acute, stem-clasping. Flowers, three to seven or
more, white, banded with green, or heavily marked with
reddish-brown and purple. Galea ½ in. or more long, broad,
helmet-shaped, with a short point in front, directed downwards.
Lower part broadly ovate; recurved, with two short acuminate
lobes. Lip extremely irritable, on a strap-like claw, short,
flat, obtuse, tip emarginate. Column bent almost at right angles,
broadly winged in the middle. A common species, favouring all
soils and situations, excepting wet ground.
W.A.: Widely distributed
Acianthus, R. Brown
[ace-ee-an-thuss, or ak-ee-an-thus]
From akis, a point, and anthos, a flower; referring
to the
Needle-like points of the sepals.
A genus closely related to Caladenia, but without calli and fringes on the lip, and differing in the leaf. Another difference hardly apparent with the naked eye, is that the discs attached to the pollen masses are ovate, thick, and connected by a solid arch. InCaladenia they are flat, triangular, and separate. Species are fertilised by crawling insects, the column being bent forward with the anther screening the stigma from direct approach.
There are about 18 species of Acianthus, mostly occurring New Caledonia. One comes from New Zealand, and five are Australian.
A. exsertus, R. Brown; projecting.
"MOSQUITO ORCHID"
A slender, delicate plant under 6 in. high. Leaf heart shaped,
red underneath. Flowers small, three to six, pink,
upper sepal incurved, concave, ¼ in. long, lateral
sepals awl-shaped; petals lanceolate, half as long as sepals. Lip
as long as sepals, oblong-lanceolate. Column slender, not winged,
half as long as sepals, protruding forward from the dorsal
sepal.
W.A.: Listed as occurriug, but no record of specimen or Localities available.
All other Australian States.
Cyrtostylis, R. Brown
[sir or kir-toe-styIe-iss]
From kyrtos curved, and stylos, a column.
A small genus of two species, one occurring in Australia and one in New Zealand, closely allied to Caladenia, but more like Acianthus in habit, and included in this genus by some botanists. Wholly dependent on insects for fertilisation. Seed-capsules few in proportion to flowers.
C. reniformis, R. Brown; kidney-shaped.
"MOSQUITO ORCHID"
A small delicate plant. Leaf heart or kidney-shaped, radical,
up to 1½in. diameter. Stem from under 2 in. high and
one-flowered, to 6 or 7 in., with four or five pale red flowerS.
Dorsal sepal somewhat long, triangular-shaped, lateral sepals and
petals narrow. Lip as long as dorsal sepal and correspondingly
wide. Favours moist, shady places.
W.A.: Albany, Cottesloe, Greenbushes., Margaret River, Stirling Range, York. August - November.
Calochilus, R.
Brown
[kale-o-kye-luss]
From kalos, beautiful, and cheilos, a lip;
referring to the
fringed labellum.
An Australian genus of glabrous plants with one long narrow leaf, and, usually, two or three erect leaf-like, sheathing bracts on the stem. Flowers few, in a terminal raceme, with a large lip dlensely fringed. The column resembles that of Thelymitra, and the genus, apparently, is self-fertilised.
C. Robertsonii, Bentham; honouring J. G. Robertson, a
Victorian botanist.
A stout species up to 1½ ft. in height, leaf rather long.
Flowers three to five, sepals and petals acuminate, petals
longer than sepals. Lip deep prune-coloured, fringed all over.
Column-wings with a more or less distinct gland on each side in
front, connected at base.
Though listed as West Australian by F. von Mueller and included
in an official census of West Australian plants, this orchid is
either extremely rare in Western Australia, or has been missed by
present-day collectors.
New South Wales, South Australia.
Eriochilus, R.
Brown
[air-ee-o-kyle-uss]
From erios, wool, and cheilos, a lip; referring to
the
hairy or woolly surface of lip.
A genus closely allied to Caladenia, principally represented in Western Australia, but occurring also in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania. Usually hairy plants, with leaf solitary at the base of, or higher up, the stem. Flower, one or more, pink and white. Lateral sepals longer than the erect upper one. Lip shorter. Species are commonly "Parson's Bands" or "Donkey's Ears." Fertilised by insects and producing seed more freely than most orchids not self-fertilised.
E. scaber, Lindley; rough.
Slender plants under 6 or 8 in., sometimes growing in groups of a
dozen or more. Leaf radical, ovate or heart-shaped. Flowers, one
to three. Lip with small erect lateral lobes, middle one nearly
orbicular. Favours loamy flats.
WA.: Albany, Bayswater, Bussleton, Guildford, Highbury,
Jarnadup, Margaret River, Mudijong, Parkerville, Riverton, York.
JuIy - September.
E. tenuis, Lindley; slender.
A very slender species, stem glabrous, 3 to 6 in. high.
Single-flowered. Leaf radical, narrow.
W.A.: Guildford. May. Chester Pass, Stirling Range.
September.
E. dilatatus, Lindley; broad.
Stem above 6 in. Leaf at or below the middle of stem,
linear-lanceolate, sessile and stem-clasping. Flowers usually
one, two or three. Middle lobe of lip ovate-oblong. Mr. O. H.
Sargent records having found this orchid in the York district in
various soils in April and May, and that specimens
with four or five flowers are common there, also that one was
collected in 1905 with 13 flowers,
W.A.: Albany. Bunbury. Kalamunda, Kings Park, Perth, Swan
View, York. April - June.
E. multiflorus, Lindey; many-flowered.
A species with the habit and foliage of E. dilatatus, but
often over 1 ft. high. Flowers smaller, white, more numerous,
sometimes over 10 in a spike or raceme. Middle lobe of lip
narrow-oblong. Favours gravelly slopes and is often found on
burnt country when the shrubs have only a few leave showing.
W.A.: Margaret River. April
Lyperanthus, R. Brown
[lie-per-an-thuss]
From lyperos, mournful, and anthos, a flower;
referring to the sombre appearance of the best known species,
L. nigricans, when dried.
A genus of about 12 species closely allied to Caladenia
and extending to New Zealand and New Caledonia. Stems two or
more-flowered, either with one radical leaf, or two or three
almost leaf-like empty bracts, or with about two stem-leaves. The
flowers which have the appearance of coarse spider orchids, are
produced from sheathing bracts, and have the upper sepal broad
and hooded.
Fitzgerald considered Lyperanthus an unsatisfactory
inter-mediate genus, stating that it was "erroneously described
by Bentham as producing small underground tubers, whereas the
roots of L. nigricans are clustered, thick and fleshy."
L. nigricans, Brown; black.
"POTATO ORCHID" "RATTLE ORCHID"
Stem from a few inches to 1 ft. high, leaf radical, ovate, 1
to 2 in. long, thick and fleshy. Flowers, two to five, white,
striped with deep crimson, rarely pure white, enclosed by
sheathing bracts; upper sepal broad and much incurved, lower ones
and petals long, linear, curving gracefully. Lip shorter, margins
fringed. Column incurved, not winged, the circular peltate stigma
very prominent. The plants do not always produce flowers, and
Fitzgerald's note on this subject is interesting: "This species
only flowers after fires have passed. Where a fire had been,
every plant produces a flower-stem. Nearby, where the fire
had not reached them, leaves of plants were
numerous, but not a single flower or bud."
W.A.: Boyup Brook, Busselton, Darling Range, Highbury,
Pindalup, Ravonswood, Stirling Range. August - October.
L. serratus, Lindley; toothed. (Caladenia serrata
Reichenbach.) A stout plant over 1 ft. high. Leaf broadly
linear, often over 1 ft. long. Flowers 4 to 6, pale green, shaded
to yellow, streaked and suffused with crimson, bracts acuminate,
over 1in. long. Upper sepal lanceolate, incurved, concave,
½ in. or more long, lateral sepals shortly acuminate.
Lateral petals narrower and longer. Middle lobe of lip recurved
and brush-like at the tip with crowded calli.
W.A.: Busselton. Gosnelli, Jarnadup, Kojonup, Pinjarra, York.
September - October.
L. Forrestii, F. Von Mueller; named in honour of Lord
Forrest. Leaves three, at or near the base of the stem, the
lowest
ovate-lanceolate, with a solitary small narrow-lanceolate leaf or bract near
the middle of the stem. Flowers white with pink shading and deep crimson markings
and dots, two or four, on rather long and slender stalklets, bracts rather large;
perianth segments about equal, lateral sepals spreading, obfalcate, the bases
very attenuated; dorsal sepal erect, much wider, concave, lateral petals falcate-lanceolate.
Lip almost obovate with a long attenuated base, erect in lower half, margins
scalloped but not fringed, nearly ½in. long, dotted all over with minute
calli. Column very narrowly winged.
This orchid was originally collected near the Stirling Range by the late Lord Forrest.
Extract from Dr. Rogers' notes accompanying detailed and supplementary description (Transactions and Proceedings Royal Society S.A., XLIV. 1920): "The leaves of this rare plant were identified in situ at Lake Chockerup. Some young plants were removed by Dr. A. Syme Johnson cultivated in Albany, where they bloomed about the middle of November the same year. An opportunity was thus afforded to examine the plant in a living state and so supplement the original description of F. von Mueler 'from the few dried and much shrivelled specimens hitherto secured.'
Leptoceras, Lindley
[lep-toss-er-ass]
From leptos, slender, and ceros, a horn.
Glabrous plants. Leaf short, broad and smooth. Sepals acute or rather obtuse, the upper one erect or incurved, concave, petals erect, linear-clavate (club-shaped), longer than the sepals. Note by Dr. Rogers: "The one species in this genus is closely allied to Caladenia Menziesii and the genu Eriochilus) which have been included under Leptoceras by some botanists. On the other hand the single member of the genus is commonly placed under Caladenia by taxonomist and is so included by Bentham."
L. fimbriatum, Lindley; fringed. (Caladenia
fimbriata, Reichenbach, Eriochilus fimbriatus, F. von
Mueller.)
"HARE ORCHID" "FLY ORCHID"
Stems 6in. to 1 ft. high. Leaf (occasionally two) clasping
stem close to ground, about 1 in. long, ovate lanecolate or
oblong. Flowers usually two or three, purple and green. Petals
erect, longer than the sepals, clavate. Lip very broad, lobed,
fringed at the end, the disk without calli.
W.A.: Greemount, Highbury, Kalamunda, Midland Junction, South
Perth, York. May - August.
South Australia, Victoria.
Note by Fitzgerald: "Leaves much more frequently observed than flowers. It is with great reluctance I depart from the naming in 'Flora Australiensis,' but I cannot concur with the inclusion of this with Caladenia, and have placed it in Lindley's Leptoceras for the following reasons: Leaf or leaves not those of Caladenia. In Caladenia I have never seen more than one leaf, always thin and usually hairy; in this plant leaf thick, hard and shining, occasionally two. In Caladenia tubers are generally numerous, in L. fimbriata I have only observed one. The labellum, is without the characteristic glands and is not of the form obtaining in Caladenia, the stigma is very different in form being triangular and deep sunk, the upper parts overhanging, not oval and shallow; and the flowers have the peculiarity of drying and continuing in a state hardly to be distinguished from the fresh flowers long after the seed has been shed. It approaches C. Menziesii only (so far as I can see) in having erect linear-clavate petals, in which C Menziesii is itself peculiar, L. fimbriata seems to come nearer to Eriochilus than to Caladenia but differs from it again."
Caladenia, R.
Brown
[kal-a-dean~ee~er]
From kalos, beautiful, and adenos, a gland,
referring to the glands on the lip, and the great beauty
of the Species generally.
A large genus of hairy plants, with several species in New Zealand, and between 60 and 70 endemic to Australia, and chiefly) represented in Western Australia. Caldenia species are readily distinguished by the rows of calli or glandular hairs upon the lip Leaf solitary, linear-lanceolate or oblong. Flowers solitary or very few in a loose raceme, variously coloured. Dorsal sepal usually erect or incurved over the column, while the lateral petals and the other two sepals are somewhat flat and spreading. The length and shape of the petals and sepals vary considerably in the different species which are divided into easily defined sections. Species with long tapering sepals and petals are known as "Spider Orchids," and greatly admired for their dainty, fragile loveliness. Nature has been kind to Western Australia, as in addition to the number of beautiful species of Caladenia she possesses, most of them have been distributed with a lavish hand.
Botanists have differed regarding the classification of some species of Caladenia and closely allied genera, which have been placed in various lists claiming to be authoritative, under different names. This is confusing to beginners and necessitates endless explanation.
After Western Australia, Victoria is the Australian State most favoured with Caladenias, having 20 species, which, with the exception of five (including Caladenia Patersonii, found in all the States), are different to West Australian varieties. New Zealand has several species of Caladenia, New South Wales has 17, Queensland 5, South Australia 18, and Tasmania 12, and the genus is represented in New Caledonia and the Malay Archipelago. The Australian species are all endemic, with the exception of C. carnea, which is recorded from Java.
C. Menziesii, R. Brown; honouring Archibald Menzies,
naval surgeon and botanical collector.
"BUNNY ORCHID" "RABBIT ORCHID"
Stems slender, 6 to 9 in. Leaf ovate-lanceolate, usually 1or 2
in. long, sometimes 7 in. long and 2 in. broad. Flowers white and
pink, one or two on long stalks, lateral sepals lanceolate,
acute, nearly ½in. long, upper sepal concave and incurved.
Petals much longer than the sepals, erect, narrow-linear,
clavate, giving the flower a two-horned appearance. Lip
undivided, ovate, erect at base, recurved towards the end, calli
more or less distinctly arranged in two or four rows. Favours
moist, shady places.
W.A.: Widely distributed. September - October.
Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria.
C.fimbriata, R. Brown. Fringed (See Leptoceras fimbriatum.)
C. discoidea, Lindley; disc-like or round, referring to
the shape of lip.
"ANTELOPE ORCHID" "BEE ORCHID" "STAGS HEAD ORCHID"
Stem 1 ft. or more. Leaf broadly linear or lanceolate 6 in. or
more long. Flowers often two or three, yellowish green tinged
with crimson. Sepals ½in. or more long, shortly acuminate,
upper sepal narrow, erect, incurved and concave lateral sepals
lanceolate, somewhat falcate, spreading, petals longer and
narrower. Lip not much shorter than sepals broadly ovate, veined,
undivided, fringed, very shortly contracted at the base, calli
irregularly crowded, the lower ones often longer and club-shaped,
the two lowest conspicuously so. Column narrow and incurved at
base, broadly winged in upper half, with two red glands at the
base, which gleam within the flower like the eyes of insects.
Grows usually in loose sandy soil.
W.A.: Bullsbrook, Cape Leeuwin, Collie, Darlington,Pingelly, Pinjarra, Wagin, York. September -October.
C.Cairnsiana, F. von Mueller; honouring the Rev. Adam Cairns, of Melbourne.
"ZEBRA ORCHD"
Stem about 6 in. Leaf linear. Flower solitary pink shaded,
sepals and petals narrow-linear,
about ½in
long, not produced into points, appressed against the ovary; lip
erect against the column, as long as sepals, on a very short
claw, elegantly veined with deep reddish-purple divergent lines,
margins entire, calli crowded in two rows. Column narrow, much
curved at the base, broadly winged upwards. Favours loamy
soil.
W.A.: Boyup Brook, Kojonup, Mount Barker, Pingelly,
Porongorups, Stirling Range, York. September - October
C. multiclavia, Reichenbach; much clubbed, referring to the club-shaped calli.
Stem 6 in. to 1 ft. Leaf short and very hairy. Flower, usually one, sometimes
two, greenish~yellow, sepals and petals streaked with red, about 1 in. long;
lateral petals lanceo1ate-falcate, spreading, the inflated portion somewhat
exceeding the point; upper sepal retracted at base, then incurved, sharply falcate,
with long fine rigid point, narrower than lateral sepals. Lateral petals lanceolate-falcate,
wider than dorsal sepal, not quite so wide as lateral sepals, lightly adhered
to the margin of the upper sepal from the stigmatic wing of the column almost
to their tips, giving to the column a hooded appearance and making it look very
wide. Lip-ovate-rhomboid or a rather long and slender claw, generally vertical,
slightly recurved from about the middle; dark red clavate calli collected on
upper part of claw and central portion of base of lip. Column retracted horizontally
almost at right angles then in curved, wings very large, bluntly and widely
falco-triangular This orchid is easily distinguished by the horizontal position
of petals and sepals with points turned upwards, by the nodding lip with alternate
yellow and dark red bands, and by the numerous dark red calli placed on a fleshy
cushion on lip Favours "Jam" (Acacia acuminata) country.
W.A.: Baandee, Datatine, Highbury, Katanning, Pingelly,
September-October.
C. reticulata, Fitzgerald; net-like,
referring to the veining of the lip.
"VEINED CALADENIA"
Flowers large, usually solitary, rarely two, yellow, shaded
and streaked with red. Sepals usually clavate, lateral petals
shorter, spreading. Lip on a distinct claw, curiously veined in a
criss-cross fashion, ovate, slightly toothed. Calli, shaped like
a golf-club, in four-six rows. Column retracted at base,
therefore erect and incurved, widely winged.
W.A.: Boyup Brook, Gilgerring, Woogenellup. September.
South Australia. Victoria,
C. filamentosa, R. Brown; thread-like, referring to the
tips of sepals and petals
Leaf narrow-linear. Flowers usually red, sometimes yellow, or
with red perianth and white lip veined with crimson; sepals and
petals narrower than in C. Patersonii. Calli with flat
oblong tops, always in two rows only on the basal half of the
lip. Often found growing in groups with the root tubers
entangled, and as many as 40 flower stems bunched lightly
together with charming effect. Favours loamy clay soil.
W.A.: Widely distributed. August - September.
New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria,
C. Dorriernii, Domin; honouring Capt. A. A.
Dorrien-Smith D.S.O.
A slender graceful plant, Stem about 6 in., with one
narrow-linear leaf of same length, and having a short linear
spreading bract about the middle. Flower solitary, base of
peduncle sheathing, about 1 in. long, dark coloured. Sepals and
petals 1 in. or more long, narrow-lanceolate-linear, three
veined, thin, glabrous, with dark-coloured, thread-like,
elongated tips densely glandular-villose. Lip nearly an inch long
middle part provided with a few obtuse teeth. Calli in two
series, each consisting of seven or eight calli placed closely
against the middle of the lip.
WA.: Kojonup. October,
C. tentaculata, Tate; with tentacles, referring to the
long and slender perianth segments.
A species not considered sufficiently distinct by Dr. Rogers, to
be classed as other than merely one of the many forms of C.
filamentosa. Mr. Sargent reports this orchid as being common
in various soils in the York district in August and September,
and that two varieties occur there-one with sepals and petals
yellow. In the other they vary from pale to deep crimson and the
parts are pendulous. (See Journal Natural History Society,
WA.).
C. Patersonii, R. Brown; honouring Col. W. Paterson,
Lieut.Governor of New South Wales and Tasmania.
"SPIDER ORCHID"
Stems 1 to 2 ft. high. Leaf linear-lanceolate. Flowers usually
white, or yellowish-white with reddish-brown stripes down the
centre of the perianth segments. Sepals and petals spreading,
except dorsal sepal, which is upright, more or less dilated in
the lower part, but not clavate, tapering to long points. Lip
usually with purple or crimson tip and calli, ovate-lanceolate on
a short claw, undivided, the basal half erect, with acutely
toothed margins, tip acute, recurved, calli rarely extending
beyond the bend, linear-golf-stick in type, in 4-6 rows. Column
incurved, winged narrowly in lower part, widely above. Not common
and range limited. Favours moist clayey patches.
W.A.: Highbury, Kojonup, Pindalup. October.
All other Australian States.
Bentham, working from dried specimens, without having seen the flowers in a fresh state, was unable to separate several, to him, doubtfully distinct forms of C. Patersonii; including C. filamentosa, C. longicauda, and C. dilatata.
Variety longicauda, Roger.; long-tailed.
"WHITE SPIDER ORCHID"
Flowers white and pink, with very long dusky tentacles, which
are covered with glandular hairs. The lip is not typical in
shape. It is ovate-oblong, with the apex usually very obtuse. The
lateral margins have long graceful combings about as far as the
middle, thereafter the margins are serrate to the apex; calli
linear, in four to six rows. Favours light or loamy soil.
W.A. Widely distributed and common. September -
October.
Orchid-hunters acquainted only with Eastern States specimens of Caladenia Pattersonii, invariably are amazed at the development of this Western Australian variety. Stems are frequently over 2 ft. 6 in. high. The outstretched tentacles (often dilated again towards the end) sometimes measure 12 in. across, and some plants bear as many as five perfect blossoms. It has been pointed out by Dr. Rogers that natural hybridism is responsible for a great deal of confusion with filamentous Caladenias, These often are linked by intermediate forms and pass imperfectly from one into the other.
C. pectinata, Rogers; toothed like a comb.
"RED-LIPPED SPIDER ORCHID"
A tall handsome species. Flowers yellowish, with dark red
markinghs on perianth segments and lip. Dorsal sepal erect or
slightly incurved, with clavate points. LateraI sepals spreading,
backwards, shorter than sepals. Lip on a short claw, margins
deeply toothed with a comb-like fringe. Calli in four rows
increasing to 6-8 rows near the apex of the lip
W.A.: Widely distributed September - October.
C. lobata, Fitzgerald; lobed, referring to the column wings.
"BUTTERFLY ORCHID"
A tall robust species, considered by Fitzgerald to be the most beautiful of
the Caladenias. Leaf oblong-lanceolate
sheathing at the base, over 1 in. wide. Flowers, one or two, pale greenish-yellow,
shaded, streaked and spotted with crimson. Petals linear, tapering to a long
point. Sepals dilate for about an inch, then passing into long fine points.
Upper sepal erect and much curved forward, lateral sepals sharply curved upward.
Lip three-lobed, 1 in. or more wide, lateral lobes elegantly fringed; calli
of the disk linear, crowded for about one-third of the lip in two bands which
unite into one at the base. Column with no glands at the base, wings dilated
into an ear-like lobe about the centre. The lip of this magnificent orchid swings
lightly on a narrow claw, and has theappearance of a butterfly poised upon the
flower, its wings trembling and vibrating in the breeze.
W.A.: Bluff Knoll, Stirling Range, Upper Kalgan River. September - October.
C. dilatata, R. Brown; widened, referring to the broad
lip.
"GREEN ORCHID"
A handsome species. Flowers yellowish-green, shaded and
streaked with crimson, but sometimes without any red on perianth
or lip. Lateral sepals turned upwards almost at right angles. Lip
three-lobed, the middle lobe in typical specimens deep crimson,
curving back with a horn-like appearance, and the wide-spreading
lateral lobes usually fringed. Calli crimson, long, slender,
club-shaped, closely packed in the centre of the disk in four
rows. The lip moves freely on a hinge-like claw. Column winged,
with two distinct glandular calli at the base. Favours clayey
soil.
W.A.:Albany, Cape Leeuwin, Greenbushes, Katanning, Kojonup,
Perth, Stirling Range, Wagin, York. September -November.
New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria.
Var. rhomboidiformis, Coleman; rhomboid in form, referring to lip.
A slender early-flowering variety resembling C. dilatata
in colour, but with shorter, broader perianth segments; lateral
sepals pendant, neither crossed, spreading or deflexed. Lip
rhomboidal, without the wide green lateral lobes and combs of the
type, dilated portion shortly fringed, toothed towards the apex.
Calli thick and fleshy. (Described "Victorian Naturalist,"
February, 1930.)
W.A.: Augusta, Boyup Brook, Busselton, Capel, Forest Grove,
Mundaring, Waterloo. September - October.
C. radialis, Rogers; radial, referring to lip
markings.
A graceful species from 6 in. high. Flowers, one or two, rather
large, yellow and reddish-brown, with dark lines on the perianth
segments and lip. Segments lanceolate and dilated at the base,
narrowing to shortly hairy thread-like tails, marked with
reddish-brown lines. Dorsal sepal erect, in-curved, three-nerved.
Lateral sepals and petals a little longer, 3-5 nerved, spreading.
Lip on a slender movable claw, somewhat ovate, much recurved at
apex, margins usually entire, rarely slightly serrate, lamina
decorated with dark radial nerves. Calli yellow,
linear-golf-stick type, densely crowded in six rows on the lower
part of lip, ending about the middle of the lamina. Column erect,
incurved, winged throughout,but widely so just
below the anther. (Described Transactions
Royal Society S.A., Vol. LI., 1927.)
W.A.: Beverley, Dowerin. September.
Note by Dr. Rogers "This species replaces the plant in Western Australia hitherto regarded as conspecific with C. clavigera, Cunningham. Its lip differs considerably from that of the Eastern species, not only in shape, but also in the presence of the six rows of densely crowded calli and a number of dark radial lines. Its column is also quite differently winged, has a very blunt anther without a mucrone, and is without the usual double yellow calli at the base. The segments of the perianth are not clavate."
C. bicolor, Rogers; two-coloured.
A species about 8 in. high, rather closely approaching C.
radialis, but differing in the relatively shorter petals, and
in the presence of two oval calli at the base of the column.
Flower solitary, rather large, yellowish, with reddish-brown
stripes and markings. Dorsal sepal erect, incurved, linear, with
conspicuous reddish-brown line on lower half, then contracted
into a terete tail covered with dense, short reddish-brown
glandular-tipped hairs. Lateral petals similar but rather longer,
spreading. Petals lanceolate, retroflexed, otherwise similar to
sepals, Lip on a very slender claw, ovate, at first erect against
the column, then recurved to an obtuse tip; margins dark
reddish-brown, entire except near the apex where they are very
shortly sinuate, lamina longitudinally concave, basal half yellow
with conspicuous reddish-brown divergent stripes, the recurved
apex part dark reddish-brown and bare. Calli linear, with fleshy
heads, golf-stick type, arranged rather indefinitely in six rows
extending to about the middle. Column erect, with hatchet-shaped
wings on either side of the stigma, and more narrowly below.
(Described Transactions Royal Society S.A., Vol. LIV., 1930.)
W.A.: Swan River district, Muresk. September.
C. clavigera, Cunningham; club-bearing, referring to
the clubbed tips of sepals.
"CLUBBED SPIDER ORCHID"
A species with the habit of C. Patersonii, Sepals
usually about 1 in. long, lanceolate at base with long fine
points usually, but not always, clavate at the tips, petals
shorter but not clavate. Lip under ½ in. long, the broad
yellow lateral lobes quite entire, the purple middle lobe either
entire or slightly scalloped towards the base, calli in about four rows
(See C. radialis.)
W.A.: Albany, Beverley, Tukurua. September - October. New
South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria,
C. longiclavata, Coleman; long-clubbed.
A robust species from 6 in. high. Leaf lancelolate. Flowers, one or two, maroon and yellow, perianth segment.
slightly spreading, except the dorsal sepal, which is erect and
incurved, with wide red central stripes; sepals and petal. longly
and heavily clavate for more than one-third of their length. Lip
ovate, yellowish, apex and calli maroon, not tremulous, lateral
margins shortly fringed, toothed towards the much recurved apex.
Calli in four rows, rarely six. Column incurved, widely winged
above, much narrower below. (Described "Victorian Naturalist,"
February, 1930.)
W.A.: Boyup Brook, Busselton, Capel, Donnybrook, Forest Grove.
September - October.
C. plicata, Fitzgerald; folded, referring to the folded
tip of labellum.
"CRAB-LIPPED ORCHID"
Stem about 1 ft. high. Leaf lanceolate, 7 or 8 in. long, about
¼ in. broad, sheathing at the base. Flowers usually two,
almost horizontal, yellowish streaked with red. Petals
narrow-lanceolate, sepals lanceolate at the base for about half
their length, then narrow-linear, clavate. Upper sepal erect,
recurved. Lip crab-shaped, nearly ½ in. wide, fringed, on
a long slender claw, with the same trembling movement as in C.
lobata,, Calli of the disk dark crimson, linear, clavate, crowded
into a band down the centre of the lip. Column winged from the
base, with two oval-shaped calli near the base.
W.A.: Lake Chockerup, Mt. Barker, Porongorups, Tukurua.
September - October.
C. cristata, Rogers; crested, referring to the calli
arrangement.
A slender plant about 1 ft. high, leaf linear, about 4 in long.
Flower solitary, segments of perianth yellowish-green with a
central red streak; sepals nearly 1 in. long, upper sepal erect,
incurved lanceolate. Lateral sepals wider, acuminate spreading,
lateral petals linear-lanceolate, narrower and shorter than the
sepals. Lip reddish-brown, veined, mobile on a short claw,
heart-shaped, edge rolled under a little and entire, calli on
long stalks, crowded into a conspicuous, rather narrow, dense
crest along the centre, extending from the claw
almost to the apex, hi-lobed near the claw, and more or less
linear near the apex. Column almost equal in length to lip, much
incurved and very widely winged in the upper half. This species
resembles C. plicata, Fitzgerald, in the shape of its
column and the arrangement of its calli, but differs in the
absence of the clubbed sepals and fringed lip margins. Type
specimen collected on an alluvial flat, near a creek, 20 miles
south of Pithara, by Dr. E. S. Simpson, of Perth, a keen
orchidologist. Specimens were plentiful. (Described Transactions
Royal Society S.A., XLVII., 1923.)
W.A.: Pithara. September.
C. macrostylis, Fitzgerald; large style.
A slender species from a few inches to 8 in. high. Leaf linear-lanceolate,
sheathing at base, 4 to 5 in. long. Flowers, one or two, pale yellow streaked
and veined with red. Sepals and petals lanceolate, tapering to a short clavate
point. Lip on a short claw, ovate-lanceolate, veined, the dark red edges thickened
with glandular denticulations on the margins of the apex. Calli dark reddish-brown
in a broad band extending from near the base of lip almost to the point, clavate,
closely packed. Column nearly ½ in. long, wide, much bent and very broadly
winged from the base to half way up the anther. Found in loam, laterite, or
forest country. Fitzgerald found this orchid on the edge of a swamp near the
Upper Hay River in September.
Dr. Rogers' note regarding its situation is as follows: "This orchid chooses
the most barren of ironstone country on which to grow. On the Upper Kalgan a
few specimens occupied a small area of ground shunned by every other living
plant. At Mount Barker it was quite numerous amid scrub almost equally inhospitable."
W.A.: Albany, Boyup Brook, Busselton, Collie, Highbury, Jarnadup, Kelmscott,
Mt. Barker, Pindalup. September - December.
C. Drummondii, Bentham; honouring James Drummond, an
early West Australian pioneer, botanist and collector.
A small species, leaf ovate-lanceolate, ½ in. by ¼ in. Flower
solitary on a stalk of 2 to 3 in. Sepals and petals resembling C. hirta
(which has white, pink-shaded flowers), about ½ in. long, including the
dark-coloured point, about as long as the whitish dilated part. Lip with lateral
lobes broadly rounded, entire, recurved, calli in about 4 rows. Bentham states
that without much character in the flower this species differs from the whole
genus in the shape of the leaf. It is either very rare, or easily overlooked,
as its collection is unrecorded since first found by Drummond in the Swan River
district many years ago, when the specimens were forwarded to England. Its discovery
would be hailed with delight by present-day collectors.
W.A.: Swan River district.
C. triangularis, Rogers; triangular.
A species with the habit of C. Patersonii, about 9 in. high. Flower solitary,
cream-coloured, with reddish-brown lines. Dorsal sepal erect with three reddish
longitudinal lines dilated below, contracting gradually into a moderately short
glandular point as in C. hirta; lateral sepals similar to dorsal sepal,
but wider and rather longer, spreading. Petals with one red longitudinal line.
Lip clawed, ovate-triangular in outline, lateral lobes rather deeply combed,
middle lobe triangular, shortly fringed or dentate, lamina with radiating red
lines at the base. Calli lamina orange, in 2 rows, not extending beyond the
middle. Column curved, more or less erect, widely winged above, more narrowly
below. (Described Transactions Royal Society S.A., Vol. LI., 1927.)
W.A.: Highbury. September.
C. hirta, Lindley; hairy.
A very hairy species, 1 ft. high or more. Leaf oblong or
lanceolate, 2 to 4 in. long. Flowers two or three, white, shaded
with pink. Sepals and petals ¾ to 1 in. long, irregularly
acuminate, points much shorter than in C. Patersonii. Lip
sessile, broad and undivided, more or less fringed from the
middle upwards, recurved. Calli in four-six regular rows. Favours
chiefly loam or laterite.
W.A.: Albany, Darlington, Narrogin, Stirling Range, Toodyay.
August - October.
C. lavandulaceae, Rogers; like lavender.
A very slender species with the habit of C