Corybas aconitiflorus

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Cradle orchid
Spurred Helmet Orchid at Nightcap NP.JPG
Corybas aconitiflorus near Minyon Falls
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Corybas
Species:
C. aconitiflorus
Binomial name
Corybas aconitiflorus
Synonyms [1]

Corybas aconitiflorus, commonly known as the cradle orchid [2] or spurred helmet orchid, [3] is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to eastern Australia, occurring from south-east Queensland to Tasmania. [1] The small flowers have a hooded appearance as the uppermost sepal hides most of the rest of the flower. It is the type species of the genus Corybas .

Contents

Hooker's illustration in The Paradisus Londinensis: 1 - flower, half of the upper sepal cut away; 2 - half of the labellum showing one of the nectaries near the base; 3 - column, natural size; 4,5 - side and front view of the column magnified Corybas aconitiflorus (Paradisus Londinensis 98).jpg
Hooker's illustration in The Paradisus Londinensis : 1 – flower, half of the upper sepal cut away; 2 – half of the labellum showing one of the nectaries near the base; 3 – column, natural size; 4,5 – side and front view of the column magnified

Description

Corybas aconitiflorus grows from a pair of small tubers, to which it dies down in the dormant season. The stems are short and upright, with generally a single flat, smooth, basal leaf. The leaf is dark green on the upper surface, purplish below, egg-shaped to heart-shaped, 15–35 mm (0.6–1 in) long and 10–30 mm (0.4–1 in) wide. The single greyish to reddish purple flower leans forward and is 25–30 mm (0.98–1.2 in) long and 10–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) wide. The hooded dorsal sepal is 22–30 mm (0.9–1 in) long, 10–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) wide and covers and hides most of the rest of the flower. The lateral sepals and petals are 1 or 2 mm (0.04 or 0.08 in) long and similar in appearance to each other. The labellum is much smaller than the petals and lateral sepals and is undivided, with its margins turned inwards. The thin column is wider at the base and has fused wings along its body. There are terminal persistent pollen masses (pollinia), cream in colour, fixed directly to the viscidia (sticky pads which adhere to pollinators). The flower is pollinated by fungus gnats but otherwise little is known about the pollination mechanism because the flower is hidden by the dorsal sepal and the species is difficult to cultivate. [2] [3] [5] [6]

Taxonomy

Corybas aconitiflorus was first formally described by Richard Salisbury in The Paradisus Londinensis in 1807, [1] where it was illustrated by William Hooker. [7] This was also the source of the genus name Corybas. Both the genus name and the specific epithet refer to the shape of the flower. Corybas is derived from the Greek Κορύβας (Korybas), [7] a male dancer who worshipped the goddess Cybele, shown in illustrations wearing a crested helmet. The specific epithet aconitiflorus means "with a flower like Aconitum (monkshood)".

In 2002, David Jones, Mark Clements and others proposed splitting Corybas into eight smaller genera including Corybas, Anzybas, Corysanthes and Nematoceras. However, because Corybas aconitiflorus is the type species of the genus, it will remain in Corybas. [8]

Distribution and habitat

The cradle orchid grows in heath and forest, mostly in coastal and near coastal districts. It occurs in Queensland south from Gympie, in eastern New South Wales and in south-eastern Victoria with isolated populations in the west of the state. It also occurs in the north and east of Tasmania. [2] [3] [5]

Related Research Articles

<i>Calypso bulbosa</i> Species of orchid

Calypso is a genus of orchids containing one species, Calypso bulbosa, known as the calypso orchid, fairy slipper or Venus's slipper. It is a perennial member of the orchid family found in undisturbed northern and montane forests. It has a small pink, purple, pinkish-purple, or red flower accented with a white lip, darker purple spottings, and yellow beard. The genus Calypso takes its name from the Greek signifying concealment, as they tend to favor sheltered areas on conifer forest floors. The specific epithet, bulbosa, refers to the bulb-like corms.

<i>Corybas</i> (plant) Genus of orchids

Corybas, commonly known as helmet orchids, is a genus of about 120 species of plants in the orchid family, Orchidaceae. Helmet orchids are small, perennial, deciduous herbs and are nearly always terrestrial. They have a single leaf at their base and a single flower on a short stalk, the flower dominated by its large dorsal sepal and labellum. Species of Corybas are found in Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, Southeast Asia, the Himalayas, southern China, many Pacific islands and a few sub-Antarctic islands.

<i>Corybas hispidus</i> Species of orchid

Corybas hispidus, commonly known as the bristly helmet orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to eastern Australia. It is distinguished from other helmet orchids by its autumn to winter flowering period, and by its labellum, which has a bristly-hairy, creamy-white centre and is deeply notched along its top edge.

Corybas globulus is a species of helmet orchid endemic to a small area of the New England Tableland in northern New South Wales. It is a relatively small orchid with a bright green, heart-shaped leaf and a bulbous, dark reddish purple flower.

Corybas abditus, commonly known as the swamp helmet orchid or small helmet orchid , is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to Western Australia. It is a rare orchid with a single bluish green, heart-shaped leaf and a small flower with an enlarged dorsal sepal and tube-shaped labellum.

Corybas abellianus, commonly known as the nodding helmet orchid, is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to tropical north Queensland. It forms small colonies and has single heart-shaped, dark green leaf with a silvery white lower side and a reddish purple flower with a curved dorsal sepal.

<i>Corybas barbarae</i> Species of orchid

Corybas barbarae, commonly known as fairy lanterns, is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to eastern Australia including Lord Howe Island. It has a single dark green or reddish green, heart-shaped leaf and a small sparkling white or pinkish flower with an inflated dorsal sepal obscuring its hairy labellum.

Corybas cerasinus, commonly known as the red helmet orchid, is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to tropical north Queensland. It has a single bluish green, heart-shaped leaf and a cherry red to dark maroon flower with its curved dorsal sepal obscuring its labellum which has an upturned tip.

Corybas dentatus, commonly known as the Lofty Ranges helmet orchid, is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to South Australia. It has a more or less round leaf and a single purplish and green flower. It is only known from two locations and is listed as "vulnerable" under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

<i>Corybas despectans</i> Species of orchid

Corybas despectans, commonly known as the tiny helmet orchid or sandhill helmet orchid is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to southern Australia. It has round or heart-shaped leaf and a tiny reddish purple flower. Unlike many others in the genus, the dorsal sepal does not cover the labellum. It is similar to C. incurvus but the flowers are smaller.

<i>Corybas diemenicus</i> Species of orchid

Corybas diemenicus, commonly known as the stately helmet orchid or veined helmet orchid, is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has round or heart-shaped leaf and a reddish purple flower with a central white patch.

Corybas expansus, commonly known as the flared helmet orchid, is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to South Australia. It has a heart-shaped to more or less round leaf and a single purplish flower with greenish or transparent areas. It is a vulnerable species, found in near-coastal sand and leaf litter.

Corybas fordhamii, commonly known as the banded helmet orchid or swamp helmet orchid, is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has an egg-shaped to heart-shaped leaf and a reddish to reddish purple flower which leans forward. It is similar to C. unguiculatis which does not grow in swamps and has a different labellum.

<i>Corybas incurvus</i> Species of orchid

Corybas incurvus, commonly known as the slaty helmet orchid, is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has a broad egg-shaped to heart-shaped leaf and a dark purple flower with a white patch in the middle.

Corybas limpidus, commonly known as the crystal helmet orchid, is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to Western Australia. It has round or heart-shaped leaf and a translucent greenish flower with dark red or burgundy-coloured spots and blotches. The edges of the labellum have a few short, blunt teeth.

Corybas × miscellus, commonly known as the hybrid helmet orchid, is a hybrid species of terrestrial orchid endemic to South Australia and a very small area in far western Victoria. It has a heart-shaped to more or less round leaf and a single reddish purple flower with greyish translucent areas. It is a natural hybrid between C. diemenicus and C. incurvus and shares the characteristics of the parent species.

Corybas montanus, commonly known as the montane helmet orchid, is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to Queensland. It forms small colonies and has single heart-shaped to round leaf and a reddish, self-pollinating flower with a curved dorsal sepal. It is only known from the Mount Barney National Park in south-east Queensland.

<i>Corybas pruinosus</i> Species of orchid

Corybas pruinosus, commonly known as the toothed helmet orchid, is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to New South Wales. It grows in moist forests and has a single round or heart-shaped leaf and a relatively small, translucent grey flower with dark red markings.

<i>Corybas undulatus</i> Species of orchid

Corybas undulatus, commonly known as tailed helmet orchid, is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to eastern Australia. It has a single leaf and a single translucent grey flower with reddish markings, and a labellum with a bristly surface, fine teeth on the edge and a small tail on the tip.

<i>Corybas unguiculatus</i> Species of orchid

Corybas unguiculatus, commonly known as the small helmet orchid or pelicans, is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to south-eastern Australia. It is a widespread, sometimes common but small orchid with a single leaf and a single reddish purple to reddish black flower.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Corybas actonitiflorus", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew , retrieved 2013-09-24
  2. 1 2 3 Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 168. ISBN   1877069124.
  3. 1 2 3 Jones, David L. "Corybas aconitiflorus". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  4. ↑ Hooker, William (1803). The Paradisus Londinensis. London: William Hooker. p. 83. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  5. 1 2 Jeanes, Jeff. "Corybas aconitiflorus". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  6. ↑ Jones, David (2001), "Corybas", in Pridgeon, A.M.; Cribb, P.J.; Chase, M.W. & Rasmussen, F.N. (eds.), Genera Orchidacearum, Vol. 2 Orchidoideae, Part 1, Oxford: Oxford University Press, ISBN   978-0-19-850710-9
  7. 1 2 Salisbury, R.A. & Hooker, W. (1805–1808), "83 (figure and notes)", The Paradisus Londonensis : or Coloured Figures of Plants Cultivated in the Vicinity of the Metropolis (PDF), London: W. Hooker (printer D.N. Shury), doi:10.5962/bhl.title.53520, OCLC   1864969
  8. ↑ Jones, D.L.; et al. (2002), "Nomenclatural notes arising from studies into the tribe Diurideae (Orchidaceae)", Orchadian, 13: 436–468
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