Dendrobium bigibbum

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Cooktown orchid
Cooktown orchids and bud.jpg
CITES Appendix II (CITES) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Dendrobium
Species:
D. bigibbum
Binomial name
Dendrobium bigibbum
Synonyms [2]
  • Callista bigibba(Lindl.) Kuntze
  • Durabaculum bigibbum(Lindl.) M.A.Clem.
  • Vappodes bigibba(Lindl.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones

Dendrobium bigibbum, commonly known as the Cooktown orchid or mauve butterfly orchid, [3] is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid in the family Orchidaceae. It has cylindrical pseudobulbs, each with between three and five green or purplish leaves and arching flowering stems with up to twenty, usually lilac-purple flowers. It occurs in tropical North Queensland, Australia and New Guinea.

Contents

Illustration by Lewis Roberts LR030 72dpi Dendrobium phalaenopsis (Wiki).jpg
Illustration by Lewis Roberts
Flower detail Dendrobium bigibbum Orchi 6039.jpg
Flower detail

There are four varieties of this orchid, each of which has previously been considered a separate species.

Description

Dendrobium bigibbum is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid with green or purplish pseudobulbs 200–1,200 mm (8–50 in) long and 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) wide, often with purplish edges. Each pseudobulb has between three and five egg-shaped leaves 100–150 mm (4–6 in) long and 30–35 mm (1.2–1.4 in) wide. The arching flowering stems are 200–400 mm (8–20 in) long with between two and twenty lilac-purple, rarely bluish or pinkish flowers. The flowers are resupinate, 20–30 mm (0.79–1.2 in) long and 30–70 mm (1–3 in) wide, the size depending on the variety. The sepals are oblong to egg-shaped, 20–30 mm (0.79–1.2 in) long and 9–11 mm (0.35–0.43 in) wide. The dorsal sepal is upright or turned back and the lateral sepals spread widely apart from each other. The petals are broadly egg-shaped, 25–30 mm (0.98–1.2 in) long and wide. The labellum is 20–26 mm (0.8–1 in) long, 20–28 mm (0.8–1 in) wide and has three lobes. The side lobes are upright and the middle lobe has four or five ridges along its midline and a hairy patch in the middle. Flowering occurs from February to July. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Taxonomy and naming

Dendrobium bigibbum was first formally described in 1852 by John Lindley and the description was published in Paxton's Flower Garden. [2] [8] [9]

Four varieties of this species are recognised by the Plants of the World Online:

The taxonomy of this species and of its varieties is confused, especially with respect to the scientific name of the Cooktown orchid. [11] On 19 November 1959, the Cooktown Orchid (Dendrobium bigibbum var. phalaenopsis) was proclaimed as the floral emblem of Queensland. [15] (Dendrobium bigibbum var. phalaenopsis had been originally named in 1883 by Frederick Manson Bailey, based on Robert D. FitzGerald's Dendrobium phalaenopsis.) [16] In 2015 Peter Adams reduced Fitzgerald's D. phalaenopsis to a synonym of D. bigibbum var. superbum and this has been accepted by WCSP. Adams also reduced David Jones's Vappodes lithocola to a synonym of D. bigibbum var. compactum, [17] D. phalaenopsis var. compactum to D. bigibbum var. compactum [18] and D. striaenopsis to D. bigibbum var. schroederianum. [19] [20]

Queensland State Floral Emblem

The Queensland government, in preparation for its 1959 Centenary, sought advice as to what native species would be a good floral emblem. Specifically, the government was looking for an easily grown species found only in Queensland, which was decorative, distinctive, and close to the State colour, maroon. The Cooktown orchid, which meets these criteria, was one of the four initial suggestions, the others being the red silky oak ( Grevillea banksii ), the umbrella tree (Brassaia actinophylla (now Heptapleurum actinophyllum ), and the wheel-of-fire ( Stenocarpus sinuatus ). The Courier-Mail , a Brisbane newspaper, sought additional suggestions from its readers, and compiled a list of 13 possibilities. In a public poll, the Cooktown orchid came in first place, the red silky oak in second, and poinsettia ( Euphorbia pulcherrima ), already the floral emblem of the capital city Brisbane, came in third. [21]

In 1968 the Cooktown orchid was featured on an Australian postage stamp. [22]

Distribution and habitat

This orchid species grows on trees and rocks in rainforest, coastal scrub, near rivers, in swamps and open forest in tropical Queensland. [10] [12] [13] [14] The variety bigibbum also occurs in southern New Guinea [10] and var. schroederianum is found in the Tanimbar Islands of Indonesia. [13]

Conservation

Dendrobium bigibbum is listed as "vulnerable" under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 . The main threats to the species are "settlement and visitor pressures", inappropriate fire regimes and illegal collection. [23]

Use in horticulture

It is illegal to collect the Cooktown orchid from its natural environment without a licence. [23] Commercially cultivated plants like a dry, sunny position with a minimum of watering and a temperature that does not fall below 13 °C (55 °F). Specimens need a bush-house in cooler climates. [24]

Related Research Articles

<i>Dendrobium</i> Genus of orchids

Dendrobium is a genus of mostly epiphytic and lithophytic orchids in the family Orchidaceae. It is a very large genus, containing more than 1,800 species that are found in diverse habitats throughout much of south, east and southeast Asia, including China, Japan, India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, New Guinea, Vietnam and many of the islands of the Pacific. Orchids in this genus have roots that creep over the surface of trees or rocks, rarely having their roots in soil. Up to six leaves develop in a tuft at the tip of a shoot and from one to a large number of flowers are arranged along an unbranched flowering stem. Several attempts have been made to separate Dendrobium into smaller genera, but most have not been accepted by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families.

<i>Dendrobium speciosum</i> Species of orchid

Dendrobium speciosum, commonly known as the rock orchid or cane orchid, is a species of highly variable Australian orchid. Its varieties can be found in a range of habitats as epiphytes or lithophytes. It has a continuous distribution along the east coast of Australia and in distinct populations along the Tropic of Capricorn. As a lithophyte, it forms gigantic spreading colonies on rocks and cliff faces, often exposed to full sun, with its roots forming dense, matted beds across the rock that anchor the plant. It can be found at altitudes from sea level to 900 metres (3,000 ft).

<i>Dendrobium antennatum</i> Species of orchid

Dendrobium antennatum, commonly known as the green antelope orchid, is an epiphytic orchid in the family Orchidaceae. It has cylindrical pseudobulbs with up to twelve leaves near their tips and up to fifteen white flowers with green petals and a white labellum with purple stripes. It grows in New Guinea and in tropical North Queensland where it is rare.

<i>Dendrobium discolor</i> Species of orchid

Dendrobium discolor, commonly known as antler orchid or golden orchid, is a species of epiphytic or lithophytic orchid in the family Orchidaceae, and are native to northern Australia, New Guinea, and part of Indonesia. It has cylindrical pseudobulbs, each with between ten and thirty five leathery leaves, and flowering stems with up to forty mostly brownish or greenish flowers with wavy and twisted sepals and petals.

<i>Dendrobium gracilicaule</i> Species of orchid

Dendrobium gracilicaule, commonly known as the blotched cane orchid or yellow cane orchid, is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid in the family Orchidaceae. It has cylindrical pseudobulbs, between three and seven thin leaves and up to thirty often drooping, cream-coloured to yellow or greenish flowers, sometimes with reddish brown blotches on the back. There are two varieties, one occurring in Queensland and New South Wales and the other on some Pacific Islands, including Lord Howe Island.

<i>Dendrobium jonesii</i> Species of orchid

Dendrobium jonesii, commonly known as the oak orchid is a species of epiphytic or lithophytic orchid endemic to far north Queensland. It has spindle-shaped pseudobulbs, up to seven thin, dark green leaves and up to thirty five crowded, star-like, fragrant cream-coloured or white flowers with purple markings on the labellum.

<i>Dendrobium tetragonum</i> Species of orchid

Dendrobium tetragonum, commonly known as the tree spider orchid, is a variable species of epiphytic or lithophytic orchid endemic to eastern Australia. Tree spider orchids are unusual in having pendulous pseudobulbs that are thin and wiry near the base then expand into a fleshy, four-sided upper section before tapering at the tip. There are only a few thin but leathery leaves at the end of the pseudobulbs and up to five flowers on relatively short flowering stems. To allow for the variations in the species there are five subspecies and a variety, some with a unique common name.

Bulbophyllum macphersonii, commonly known as eyelash orchids, is a species of epiphytic or lithophytic orchid that is endemic to Queensland. It has tiny, crowded, slightly flattened, dark green pseudobulbs, a single thick, fleshy leaf and a single dark red to purplish red flower with a narrow labellum. It grows on trees and rocks in sheltered places.

<i>Dendrobium smillieae</i> Species of orchid

Dendrobium smillieae, commonly known as the bottlebrush orchid, is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid with large, spongy pseudobulbs, thin, bright green leaves which are shed after their first year and crowded flowers in a bottlebrush-like arrangement. The flowers are white, to cream-coloured or pink and the labellum has a shiny, dark green tip. This orchid species is found in some of the Torres Strait Islands, and through Cape York Peninsula to Townsville, Queensland. It is also found in New Guinea and eastern Indonesia.

<i>Dendrobium trilamellatum</i> Species of orchid

Dendrobium trilamellatum, commonly known as the fragrant tea tree orchid or large tea tree orchid, is a species of epiphytic orchid found in northern Australia and New Guinea. It has spindle-shaped pseudobulbs, between three and seven leathery, dark green leaves and between three and fifteen yellow, yellowish brown or brown flowers with a mauve to purple labellum.

<i>Dendrobium aemulum</i> Species of orchid

Dendrobium aemulum, commonly known as the ironbark feather orchid or white feather orchid, is an epiphytic orchid in the family Orchidaceae and grows on trees that retain their bark, especially ironbarks. It has reddish or purplish pseudobulbs, two to four leathery leaves and up to seven white, feathery flowers. It grows in open forest in Queensland and New South Wales.

<i>Dendrobium callitrophilum</i> Species of orchid

Dendrobium callitrophilum, commonly known as the thin feather orchid, is an epiphytic orchid in the family Orchidaceae with narrow pseudobulbs, one or two thin, leathery leaves and up to six greenish yellow flowers with a cream-coloured or apricot-coloured labellum. It grows in or near rainforest in isolated parts of tropical North Queensland.

<i>Dendrobium falcorostrum</i> Species of orchid

Dendrobium falcorostrum, commonly known as the beech orchid, is a species of epiphytic orchid endemic to eastern Australia. It has spindle-shaped pseudobulbs, each with between two and five leathery leaves and up to twenty crowded white flowers with purple markings on the labellum.

<i>Dendrobium bifalce</i> Species of orchid

Dendrobium bifalce, commonly known as the native bee orchid, is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid in the family Orchidaceae. It has spindle-shaped pseudobulbs with up to four leathery leaves and up to ten pale green or greenish yellow flowers with purplish markings. It grows on trees and boulders in rainforest in tropical North Queensland, Australia and in New Guinea.

<i>Dendrobium canaliculatum</i> Species of orchid

Dendrobium canaliculatum, commonly known as the brown tea tree orchid or thin tea tree orchid, is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid in the family Orchidaceae. It has cone-shaped or onion-shaped pseudobulbs, up to six deeply channelled, dark green leaves and up to thirty star-shaped, light brown to caramel-coloured white or greenish to apricot-coloured flowers with darker tips. It grows in tropical North Queensland and New Guinea.

Dendrobium schneiderae, commonly known as the Eungella moon orchid or small moon orchid, is an epiphytic orchid in the family Orchidaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It has crowded pseudobulbs with two leaves on the tip of each and arching flowering stems with up to thirty five waxy, yellowish, cup-shaped flowers. It grows in open forest and rainforest.

<i>Dendrobium fleckeri</i> Species of orchid

Dendrobium fleckeri, commonly known as the apricot cane orchid, is a species of epiphytic or lithophytic orchid endemic to far north Queensland, Australia. It has cylindrical pseudobulbs with two or three dark green leaves and up to four apricot-coloured or yellowish green flowers with tangled white hairs on the edge of the labellum.

<i>Dendrobium nindii</i> Species of orchid

Dendrobium nindii, commonly known as the blue antler orchid, is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid in the family Orchidaceae. It has erect, cylindrical, leafy pseudobulbs with leathery, dark green leaves and up to twenty mauve or violet flowers with darker veins on the labellum. This antler orchid occurs in tropical North Queensland and New Guinea.

Dendrobium neospectabile, commonly known as the Eungella king orchid, is a species of epiphytic or lithophytic orchid that is endemic to tropical North Queensland. It has cylindrical, yellowish green pseudobulbs, up to three thick, leathery leaves and up to two hundred and fifty crowded cream-coloured to pale yellow flowers with reddish purple streaks on the labellum.

Dendrobium deuteroeburneum, commonly known as the rainforest feather orchid, is a species of epiphytic or lithophytic orchid that is endemic to eastern Australia. Its pseudobulbs are cylindrical, pressed against the host tree or rock and have one or two leathery, dark green leaves and up to seven pale greenish cream-coloured flowers with purple markings on the labellum.

References

  1. ↑ "Appendices I, II and III". Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna. 2010-10-14. Retrieved 2019-12-20.
  2. 1 2 3 "Dendrobium bigibbum". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  3. 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. pp. 417–418. ISBN   978-1877069123.
  4. ↑ D.L.Jones; T.Hopley; S.M.Duffy (2010). "Factsheet - Vappodes bigibba". Australian Tropical Rainforest Orchids . Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government . Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  5. ↑ D.L.Jones; T.Hopley; S.M.Duffy (2010). "Factsheet - Vappodes phalaenopsis". Australian Tropical Rainforest Orchids . Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government . Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  6. ↑ "Dendrobium bigibbum". Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  7. ↑ "Dendrobium bigibbum". Orchids of New Guinea. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  8. ↑ "Dendrobium bigibbum". APNI. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  9. ↑ Lindley, John; Paxton, Joseph (1853). Gleanings and original memoranda (Volume 3). London: Bradbury and Evans. pp. 25–26. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  10. 1 2 3 "Dendrobium bigibbum var. bigibbum". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 Brydie, Jim. "The Dendrobium bigibbum complex". Species Orchid Society of Western Australia (Inc.). Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  12. 1 2 "Dendrobium bigibbum var. compactum". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  13. 1 2 3 "Dendrobium bigibbum var. schroederianum". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  14. 1 2 "Dendrobium bigibbum var. superbum". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  15. ↑ "Badges, arms, floral and other emblems of Queensland Act 1959" (PDF). Australian National Botanic Garden. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  16. ↑ "Dendrobium bigibbum var. phalaenopsis". APNI. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  17. ↑ "Vappodes lithocola". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  18. ↑ "Dendrobium phalaenopsis var. compactum". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  19. ↑ "Dendrobium bigibbum var. schroederianum". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  20. ↑ Adams, Peter B. (2 April 2015). "Dendrobium bigibbum (sect. Phalaenanthe) in Australia — analysis of diagnostic characters, review of taxa and a new classification". Kew Bulletin. 70 (2): 16. Bibcode:2015KewBu..70...16A. doi:10.1007/s12225-015-9565-x. S2CID   1855648.
  21. ↑ "Floral emblems of Australia - Cooktown Orchid". Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  22. ↑ "Australian Plants on Stamps". Australian National Botanic Garden. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  23. 1 2 "Approved Conservation Advice for Dendrobium bigibbum" (PDF). Australian Government Department of the Environment. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  24. ↑ Scarth-Johnson, Vera. 2000. National Treasures: Flowering plants of Cooktown and Northern Australia, p. 153. Vera Scarth-Johnson Gallery Association. ISBN   0-646-39726-5 (pbk); ISBN   0-646-39725-7 Limited Edition leather-bound]
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