Caleana

Last updated

Duck orchids
Duck off Elvina.JPG
Large duck orchid ( Caleana major )
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Subtribe: Drakaeinae
Genus: Caleana
R.Br., 1810
Type species
Caleana major
R.Br. [1]
Synonyms [2]
  • CaleyaR.Br.
  • SullivaniaF.Muell.
  • ParacaleanaBlaxell

Caleana, commonly known as duck orchids, [3] is a genus of flowering plants in the orchid family, Orchidaceae that is found in Australia and New Zealand. The Australian species are found in all states but have not been recorded in the Northern Territory. Duck orchids have a single leaf and one or a few, dull-coloured, inconspicuous flowers. Most species are found in Western Australia but one species ( C. major ) occurs in eastern Australia and one ( C. minor ) occurs in eastern Australia and New Zealand. Orchids in this genus as well as the hammer orchids ( Drakaea ) are pollinated by male thynnid wasps.

Contents

Labelled diagram of Caleana nigrita Paracaleana nigrita (labelled).jpg
Labelled diagram of Caleana nigrita

Description

Orchids in the genus Caleana are terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, sympodial herbs usually with a few inconspicuous, fine roots and a dark red, oval-shaped, tuber. Replacement tubers called "droppers" form at the end of long root-like stolons. A single linear to egg-shaped leaf 10–40 mm (0.4–2 in) long develops near the base of the plant during the growing season and withers late in the flowering season. The leaf is folded lengthwise and often has purple markings. The flowering stem is wiry, dull brownish maroon and bears one to a few flowers each on a stalk 5–20 mm (0.2–0.8 in) long, each with a small leaf-like bract. The flowers are non-resupinate and glabrous. The dorsal sepal and the two lateral petals are similar in size and are narrow linear in shape with pointed or club-shaped ends. The dorsal sepal points downwards and is pressed against the column. The lateral sepals and two petals usually spread obliquely downwards and sideways. The dorsal sepal and petals are attached to the base of the column where it joins to the ovary. As is usual in orchids, one petal is highly modified as the central labellum. Duck orchids have an unusual, insect-like labellum which is attached to the rest of the flower by a sensitive stalk which holds the labellum above the flower in the "set" position. The labellum is attached to the column by a flexible "claw" which bends under the weight of a pollinating wasp. The column has broad wings and when the labellum is touched, it rapidly turns down, trapping a visiting insect between the labellum and column wings so that the insect comes into contact with the sexual parts of the column. The labellum is flask-shaped, narrowing near the end with the narrow end covered with small raised calli or glands which are usually black, but may be maroon or greenish. In some species the calli may cover a greater part, or even all of the labellum (as in P. minor ). Glands on the labellum emit pheromones which are sexual attractants for male thynnid wasps. Flowering occurs in spring in most species and is followed by the fruit which is a non-fleshy, dehiscent capsule containing up to 500 seeds. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Taxonomy and naming

The genus Caleana was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown and the description was published in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen . [9] The name Caleana honours George Caley. [10]

There has been disagreement about the classification of this genus and its relationship with Paracaleana. In 1989 Mark Clements noted that none of the characters used to separate Paracaleana from Caleana is "sufficiently significant" to maintain two genera. [1] A recent (2014) paper reports that recent molecular studies suggest that Caleana and Paracaleana are congeneric. [5] [11] However, the Western Australian Herbarium and several recent field guides to the orchids of Western Australia accept Paracaleana. [7] [12] [13]

Species list

The following is a list of the species of Caleana accepted by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families as at April 2018. [14]

Distribution and habitat

The Western Australian duck orchids usually grow in sandy soil near areas that are swampy in winter where they often grow with hare orchids ( Leporella ), hammer orchids ( Drakaea ) and beak orchids ( Pyrorchis ). [12] Caleana major which occurs in eastern Australia and C. minor which is found in both eastern Australia and New Zealand grow in woodland, damp heath shrubland and grassland, sometimes on rocky slopes or in gravelly soil or on road verges. [6]

Ecology

Orchids in the genus Caleana are pollinated by male thynnid wasps which are attracted to the flower by pheromones. When a wasp lands on the labellum, in its attempt to copulate with it, the labellum is flipped downwards against the column. If the flower has not previously been visited, pollinia in the column will adhere to the insect's back. When that insect visits another duck orchid and the process is repeated, the transported pollinia will adhere to the stigma of the second flower and it will be pollinated. [12]

Related Research Articles

<i>Rhizanthella</i> Genus of flowering plants

Rhizanthella, commonly known as underground orchids, is a genus of flowering plants in the orchid family, Orchidaceae and is endemic to Australia. All are leafless, living underground in symbiosis with mycorrhizal fungi. The inflorescence is a head of flowers held at, or just above the ground but mostly covered by soil or leaf litter and little is known about the mechanism of pollination.

<i>Drakaea</i> Genus of orchids

Drakaea is a genus of 10 species in the plant family Orchidaceae commonly known as hammer orchids. All ten species only occur in the south-west of Western Australia. Hammer orchids are characterised by an insectoid labellum that is attached to a narrow, hinged stem, which holds it aloft. The stem can only hinge backwards, where the broadly winged column carries the pollen and stigma. Each species of hammer orchid is pollinated by a specific species of thynnid wasp. Thynnid wasps are unusual in that the female is flightless and mating occurs when the male carries a female away to a source of food. The labellum of the orchid resembles a female thynnid wasp in shape, colour and scent. Insect pollination involving sexual attraction is common in orchids but the interaction between the male thynnid wasp and the hammer orchid is unique in that it involves the insect trying to fly away with a part of the flower.

<i>Lyperanthus</i> Genus of orchids

Lyperanthus, commonly known as beak orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, that is endemic to Australia. There are two species, one in Western Australia and the other in four eastern Australian states, distinguished by their single long, narrow, leathery leaf and dull coloured flowers which have prominent short calli on their labellum. Both form loose colonies which reproduce asexually from their tubers, and sexually using their flowers.

<i>Spiculaea</i> Genus of orchids

Spiculaea is a genus of plants defined by a single species, Spiculaea ciliata, commonly known as elbow orchid, and allied to the family Orchidaceae. Endemic to the south-west of Western Australia, the species is unusual in a number of respects; it grows in shallow soil on granite rock outcrops, grows and flowers in the hottest months of the year and has a unique method of using thynnid wasps as pollinators.

<i>Caleana minor</i> Species of flowering plant

Caleana minor, commonly known as the small duck orchid or flying duck orchid, is a species of orchid native to eastern Australia and the North Island of New Zealand. It has a single reddish brown, grass-like leaf and up to four yellowish to reddish flowers on a wiry flowering stem. The sepals and petals are directed downwards near the broad column wings and the labellum is directed upwards and covered with warty glands.

Drakaea concolor, commonly known as the kneeling hammer orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the south–west of Western Australia. The species is only known from a few areas in the far west of the state and has been declared "vulnerable" by the Australian Government and "threatened" by the Government of Western Australia.

<i>Drakaea elastica</i> Species of orchid

Drakaea elastica, commonly known as glossy-leaved hammer orchid or praying virgin is a species of orchid endemic to the south–west of Western Australia. It is similar to other hammer orchids in that it is pollinated by a single species of male thynnid wasp using sexual deception. The orchid's labellum is similar in shape and scent to a flightless female thynnid wasp. The glossy-leaved hammer orchid was the first in the genus to be described. The species is only known from the far south-west of the state and has been declared "endangered" by both the Australian government and the government of Western Australia.

<i>Drakaea glyptodon</i> Species of orchid

Drakaea glyptodon, commonly known as king in his carriage is a species of orchid endemic to the south–west of Western Australia. It is pollinated by a single species of male thynnid wasp using sexual deception. The orchid's labellum is similar in shape and scent to a flightless female thynnid wasp. It is the most common drakaea and has the widest distribution.

<i>Drakaea gracilis</i> Species of orchid

Drakaea gracilis, commonly known as slender hammer orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the south–west of Western Australia. It is pollinated by a single species of male thynnid wasp using sexual deception. The orchid's labellum is similar in shape and scent to a flightless female thynnid wasp. It was first collected in 1900 but other names were given to it, including Drakaea elastica and D. fitzgeraldii. It was not until 2007 when studies of the drakaeas and their pollinators were carried out, that the present species was recognised as distinct.

<i>Drakaea livida</i> Species of orchid

Drakaea livida, commonly known as warty hammer orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the south–west of Western Australia. It is pollinated by a single species of male thynnid wasp using sexual deception. The orchid's labellum is similar in shape and scent to a flightless female thynnid wasp. Although the species was formally described in 1842, the description was often later overlooked and other hammer orchids were given the name Drakea livida. It is now known to be, along with Drakaea glyptodon, one of the most widespread of the genus.

Drakaea andrewsiae, commonly known as the lost hammer orchid is a species of orchid endemic to the south–west of Western Australia. The species was first collected in 1930, has only been collected on two other occasions and photographed a few other times. It was, however, not formally described until 2007. No living examples of this species have been observed since 6 October 2000.

<i>Caleana nigrita</i> Species of flowering plant

Caleana nigrita, commonly known as the small duck orchid or flying duck orchid is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is the most common of the flying duck orchids and has the widest distribution of the Western Australian species. It has a single smooth leaf and is distinguished from the others by its labellum which has a hump in the middle and calli covering two thirds of its outer end. Its dull colouration makes it difficult to find, especially in areas that are blackened by fire.

Caleana alcockii, commonly known as Alcock's duck orchid is a rare species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single smooth leaf and is distinguished by its humped labellum and relatively late flowering period. It only occurs north of Geraldton.

<i>Caleana brockmanii</i> Species of flowering plant

Caleana brockmanii, commonly known as Brockman's duck orchid is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single smooth leaf, a single greenish yellow and red flower and is distinguished by its flat labellum, relatively late flowering period and calli only near the tip of the labellum. It is found south from Perth.

<i>Caleana dixonii</i> Species of flowering plant

Caleana dixonii, commonly known as the sandplain duck orchid is a rare species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single smooth leaf and a single greenish yellow and fawn-coloured flower. It is distinguished by its flattened labellum with calli only near the tip of the labellum and its preference for growing on sandplains.

<i>Caleana hortiorum</i> Species of flowering plant

Caleana hortiorum, commonly known as Hort's duck orchid is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single smooth leaf, a single greenish yellow and red flower and is distinguished by its long, narrow, slightly humped labellum, with calli on its outer half. It is found between Perth and Albany.

Caleana lyonsii, commonly known as the midget duck orchid is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is distinguished by its single smooth narrow leaf which is usually withered by flowering time and its up to ten small, greenish flowers. It grows in harsh environments in disjunct populations between Kalbarri and Southern Cross and has the smallest flowers of its genus in Western Australia.

Caleana parvula, commonly known as the Esperance duck orchid is a species of orchid endemic to a small area near Esperance in the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single smooth leaf and usually only a single greenish yellow and red flower. It is distinguished by its small flower with the calli only on the outer one-fifth of the labellum. The only other Caleana species in Western Australia which is smaller is C. lyonsii.

Caleana terminalis, commonly known as smooth-billed duck orchid is a species of orchid endemic to a small area near the Murchison River in the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single smooth leaf and usually only a single greenish yellow and red flower. It is distinguished by its slightly humped labellum, with calli only on its outer one fifth.

<i>Arthrochilus huntianus</i> Species of flowering plant

Arthrochilus huntianus, commonly known as common elbow orchid, is a flowering plant in the orchid family (Orchidaceae) and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has no leaves but an insect-like flower which has its labellum dangling like a lure away from the rest of the flower. Because of its thin, wiry stem and small, dull-coloured flowers, this orchid is difficult to locate. Like others in the genus, the flowers are pollinated by a species of thynnid wasp. Some authorities use the name Thynninorchis huntiana for this orchid.

References

  1. 1 2 Clements, Mark A. (1989). "Catalogue of Australian Orchidaceae". Australian Orchid Research. 1: 33.
  2. ↑ "Caleana". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  3. 1 2 Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 146. ISBN   1877069124.
  4. ↑ Weston, Peter H. "Caleana". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  5. 1 2 Jeanes, Jeff. "Caleana". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  6. 1 2 Hopper, Stephen D.; Brown, Andrew P. (2006). "Australia's wasp-pollinated flying duck orchids revised (Paracaleana: Orchidaceae)". Australian Systematic Botany. 19 (3): 211244. doi:10.1071/SB05020.
  7. 1 2 "Paracaleana". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  8. ↑ "Paracaleana". State Herbarium of South Australia: efloraSA. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  9. ↑ "Caleana". APNI. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  10. ↑ Brown, Robert (1810). Prodromus florae Novae Hollandiae et insulae Van-Diemen, exhibens characteres plantarum quas annis 1802-1805. London. pp. 322–329. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  11. ↑ Miller, Joseph T.; Clements, Mark A. (2014). "Molecular phylogenetic analyses of Drakaeinae: Diurideae (Orchidaceae) based on DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region". Australian Systematic Botany. 27 (1): 3–22. doi: 10.1071/SB13036 . Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  12. 1 2 3 Hoffman, Noel; Brown, Andrew (2011). Orchids of South-West Australia (3rd ed.). Gooseberry Hill: Noel Hoffman. p. 243. ISBN   9780646562322.
  13. ↑ Brown, Andrew; Dundas, Pat; Dixon, Kingsley; Hopper, Stephen (2008). Orchids of Western Australia. Crawley, Western Australia: University of Western Australia Press. p. 292. ISBN   9780980296457.
  14. ↑ "Search for Caleana". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 12 April 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.