Cyanicula ashbyae

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Powder-blue china orchid
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Cyanicula
Species:
C. ashbyae
Binomial name
Cyanicula ashbyae
Synonyms [2]

Caladenia ashbyae(Hopper & A.P.Br.) M.A.Clem.

Cyanicula ashbyae, commonly known as the powder-blue china orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It has a relatively short, broad leaf and one or two pale bluish-mauve flowers.

Contents

Description

Cyanicula ashbyae is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single flat leaf, 20–40 mm (0.8–2 in) long, 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide which is often withered when the flower opens. One or two pale bluish-mauve flowers 20–30 mm (0.8–1 in) long and wide are borne on a stalk 80–150 mm (3–6 in) tall. The flowers are strongly scented and on rare occasions they are white. The dorsal sepal is erect, 15–30 mm (0.6–1 in) long and 4–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. The lateral sepals are 17–25 mm (0.7–1 in) long and 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide and the petals are 15–25 mm (0.6–1 in) long and 5–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) wide. The labellum is 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long, 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide, bluish-mauve and relatively flat apart from a down-curved tip. The sides of the labellum have minute teeth and there are many scattered, bead-like calli scattered over the labellum. Flowering occurs from October to early November. [3] [4] [5]

Taxonomy and naming

Cyanicula ashbyae was first formally described in 2000 Stephen Hopper and Andrew Brown in Lindleyana from a specimen collected in the Chiddarcooping Nature Reserve near Mukinbudin. [2] The specific epithet (ashbyae) honours Miss Alison Ashby who is credited with discovering this species. [4]

Distribution and habitat

The powder-blue china orchid grows on and near granite outcrops between Pingrup and Beacon in the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie and Mallee biogeographic regions. [3] [4] [5] [6]

Conservation

Cyanicula ashbyae is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife. [6]

Related Research Articles

<i>Caladenia saccharata</i> Species of orchid

Caladenia saccharata, commonly known as sugar orchid, is a species of flowering plant in the orchid family, Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single leaf and a single flower with three white sepals and two similar petals.

<i>Caladenia dimidia</i> Species of orchid

Caladenia dimidia, commonly known as the chameleon orchid is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single hairy leaf and one or two yellow, cream-coloured or pinkish flowers. It is a variable species, similar to the Joseph's spider orchid but has a more northerly distribution and smaller flowers.

Caladenia fuscolutescens, commonly known as the ochre spider orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single, hairy leaf and one or two brownish-yellow flowers with a pale yellow, red-striped labellum. It is most common in spring after bushfires in the previous summer.

<i>Caladenia gardneri</i> Species of orchid

Caladenia gardneri, commonly known as the cherry spider orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single, hairy leaf and up to three pale pink, sweetly scented flowers with a dark pinkish-red labellum.

Caladenia harringtoniae, commonly known as the pink spider orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single, hairy leaf and up to three pale to deep pink flowers which have a cream-coloured labellum with a pink tip.

Caladenia heberleana, commonly known as Heberle's spider orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single, hairy leaf and up to three red, white and pale yellow flowers which have a white, red-tipped labellum.

Caladenia pholcoidea subsp. pholcoidea, commonly known as the Albany spider orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single hairy leaf and up to four pale yellow flowers with long drooping petals and lateral sepals.

Caladenia postea, commonly known as the dark-tipped spider orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single erect, hairy leaf and up to three small, pale creamy-white flowers. It has a relatively late flowering period compared to similar spider orchids.

<i>Elythranthera brunonis</i> Species of orchid

Elythranthera brunonis, commonly known as the purple enamel orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a ground orchid with a single flattened, hairy leaf and up to three glossy purple flowers.

<i>Cyanicula amplexans</i> Species of orchid

Cyanicula amplexans, commonly known as the dainty blue china orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It has a relatively broad leaf and one or two pale blue and white flowers. It is distinguished from the other two similar blue orchids by the sides of the labellum which curve over the column and almost touch. This species also has a more inland distribution than C. aperta and C. sericea.

<i>Cyanicula aperta</i> Species of orchid

Cyanicula aperta, commonly known as the western tiny blue china orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It has a relatively narrow leaf and a single bluish-mauve flower. It is distinguished from the other two similar blue orchids by the sides of the labellum which are erect but well-separated from the column. This species also has a more easterly distribution than C. amplexans and C. sericea.

Cyanicula fragrans, commonly known as the fragrant china orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is similar to the other china orchids, especially C. ashbyae but has a paler green leaf, vanilla-scented flowers and a more northerly distribution.

<i>Cyanicula gemmata</i> Species of orchid

Cyanicula gemmata, commonly known as the blue china orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a small, oval leaf and up to three intense blue to mauve flowers. It is the most common and widespread of the West Australian china orchids, sometimes appearing in large numbers after summer fires.

<i>Cyanicula ixioides</i> Species of orchid

Cyanicula ixioides, commonly known as the white china orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single, broad, flattened leaf and up to three yellow or white flowers. It mostly only occurs in woodlands and forest near Perth.

Cyanicula gertrudae, commonly known as the pale china orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a small, oval leaf and one or two pale blue, sweetly-scented flowers. It is similar to Caladenia gemmata but its leaf is green on both surfaces, the flower is scented and the labellum is striped.

<i>Caladenia sericea</i> Species of orchid

Caladenia sericea, commonly known as the silky blue orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a common orchid in the high rainfall areas of the state and has a single, broad, silky leaf and up to four blue-mauve flowers.

Caladenia nikulinskyae, commonly known as Philippa's china orchid, granite china orchid and Esperance china orchid is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is very similar to Caladenia gemmata but has slightly smaller flowers with taller calli. It has a single broad, flattened leaf and up to two pale blue flowers and occurs near Esperance.

<i>Eriochilus dilatatus <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> dilatatus</i> Subspecies of orchid

Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. dilatatus, commonly known as the white bunny orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It has a single narrow leaf and up to seven greenish and white flowers with reddish or mauve markings. A widespread and common species, it grows in a range of habitats and flowers prolifically after fire.

Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. brevifolius, commonly known as the blunt-leaved bunny orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It has a single small, smooth leaf with wavy edges and a pale red lower surface, and up to three greenish and white flowers with red or mauve markings. It is distinguished from the other subspecies by the colour of the lower surface of its leaf and by its later flowering period.

<i>Eriochilus dilatatus <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> undulatus</i> Subspecies of orchid

Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. undulatus, commonly known as the crinkle-leaved bunny orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It has a common orchid in the wheatbelt and has single narrow egg-shaped leaf with wavy edges and a maroon underside. Up to three dull green, red and white flowers are borne on a wiry flowering stem.

References

  1. "Cyanicula aperta". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Cyanicula ashbyae". APNI. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  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. 29. ISBN   1877069124.
  4. 1 2 3 Brown, Andrew; Dundas, Pat; Dixon, Kingsley; Hopper, Stephen (2008). Orchids of Western Australia. Crawley, Western Australia: University of Western Australia Press. p. 188. ISBN   9780980296457.
  5. 1 2 Hoffman, Noel; Brown, Andrew (2011). Orchids of South-West Australia (3rd ed.). Gooseberry Hill: Noel Hoffman. p. 199. ISBN   9780646562322.
  6. 1 2 "Cyanicula ashbyae". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.