| Corybas obscurus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Genus: | Corybas |
| Species: | C. obscurus |
| Binomial name | |
| Corybas obscurus Lehnebach [3] | |
Corybas obscurus is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to New Zealand. [3] [1] It has a solitary heart-shaped leaf and a deep crimson or nearly black flower and is part of the Corybas trilobus aggregate. [4]
Corybas obscurus is a terrestrial, perennial herb with a single reniform (kidney-shaped) or cordiform (heart-shaped) leaf born on a petiole that is 5.1–40.8 mm long. The leaf itself is 5.8–18.2 × 9.6–26.7 mm and has a mucronate apex. The single flower is held on a peduncle with a small floral bract. The dorsal sepal arches over the labellum and is broad at the apex; it ranges from dark crimson to nearly black. The lateral sepals range from crimson to dark red and are filiform (thread-like), between 11.7 and 20.6 mm long. The petals resemble the lateral sepals but are longer, between 27.3 and 57.2 mm long. The labellum, around 10 mm wide, is auriculate at the base and is strongly curved downwards. It folds inwards and forms a central groove; its margins are very slightly cupped. The inner surface of the labellum is covered with trichomes ending with a compact head (glandular). It is curved at its base, forming a cylindrical opening with a with a flared, highly fimbriate (toothed) mouth. The surface of the posterior half of the labellum has many hair-like structures that are curved backwards. The labellum is dark crimson or nearly black with a pale green center. The ovary is 3.0–8.4 mm long. The column is 1.6 mm long and curved, and the stigma is flanked with two notched winglike structures. Flowering occurs from October to November. [4] [2]
When not in flower, Corybas obscurus can be confused with other species in the C. trilobus species complex, whose members all share auriculate leaves. In flower, it is similar to Corybas confusus , particularly in terms of the lip color. However, C. obscurus has a short dorsalsepal firmly pressed against the upper border of the labellum and a reniform to cordiform leaf. C. obscurus may be distinguished from C. trilobus by its dark flower coloration and opacity. [4]
Corybas obscurus was first formally described in 2016 by Carlos Adolfo Lehnebach. Its specific epithet is a Latin word that means "hidden" or "concealed" and refers to the dark color of the flower. [1] [2]
Corybas obscurus occurs in southern beech forest in association with Nothofagus or in forests or shrubland with Kunzea and Leptospermum . It grows in leaf litter. It has been found at elevations from 600 to 1000 m. C. obscurus was first described from the South Island but is known from the North Island as well. [1] [2]
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.
Corybas acuminatus, commonly known as the dancing spider orchid or helmet flower, is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to New Zealand. It has a triangular, sharply pointed leaf and a small translucent, greenish-white flower with purple markings and with very long sepals. It is found on both the main islands of New Zealand and also some of the off-shore islands.
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.
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 confusus, commonly known as the spider orchid is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to New Zealand. It has a single heart-shaped leaf and a single dark green or light green flower with reddish maroon streaks and blotches and long, thread-like lateral sepals and petals. It grows in highland areas on both main islands.
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.
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.
Corybas fimbriatus, commonly known as the fringed helmet orchid, is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to eastern Australia. It has a broad egg-shaped to round leaf and a dark reddish purple to crimson flower with translucent patches. It is similar to C. hispidus but its labellum lacks a creamy-white centre and is not covered with bristly hairs.
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.
Corybas vitreus is a species of orchid endemic to New Zealand, and first described in 2016 by Carlos Adolfo Lehnebach.
Corybas oblongus is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to New Zealand. It has a solitary oval-shaped leaf, often patterned with maroon, and a reddish-purple and white flower with a fimbriate labellum.
Corybas trilobus is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to New Zealand. It is part of the C. trilobus aggregate, whose members are characterized by a funnel or dish-shaped labellum and an often heart or kidney-shaped solitary leaf.
Corybas sanctigeorgianus is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. It is part of the C. trilobus aggregate, whose members are characterized by a funnel or dish-shaped labellum and an often heart or kidney-shaped solitary leaf.
Corybas hatchii is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to New Zealand. It has a solitary rounded leaf, often flecked with maroon, and a single pale green and maroon flower with long, threadlike lateral sepals and petals.
Corybas hypogaeus is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to the New Zealand. It is part of the C. trilobus aggregate, whose members are characterized by a funnel or dish-shaped labellum and an often heart or kidney-shaped solitary leaf.
Corybas iridescens is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to the New Zealand. It has a solitary fleshy oval-shaped leaf and a single deep crimson flower, sometimes accompanied with green, with a tapering dorsal sepal.
Corybas papillosus is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to the New Zealand. It has a solitary rounded leaf with a heart-shaped base and a single flower with a long, slender green dorsal sepal, as well as a crimson and white labellum.
Corybas papa is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. It has a solitary wedge-shaped leaf and single translucent green flower with a strongly deflexed labellum and slender, threadlike lateral sepals and petals.
