Earina aestivalis

Last updated

Earina aestivalis
Earina aestivalis 6209465 (cropped).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Earina
Species:
E. aestivalis
Binomial name
Earina aestivalis

Earina aestivalis, commonly known as bamboo orchid or summer earina, is a species of pendent orchid that is endemic to New Zealand. [2] [3] [4] The specific epithet, aestivalis, is derived from Latin and means "pertaining to the summer". [5]

Contents

It is epiphytic, with long and strong rhizomes that are firmly attached to its host. [3] It produces many long cane-like stems up to 60 cm long, with purple spots. It has pointed leaves 6–10 cm long. The leaf sheaths range from ivory to white-yellow, and are spotted dark purple-brown. [4]

It flowers from December to March, with inflorescences containing 2-8 flower clusters and reaching up to 8 cm. The flower petals and sepals are greenish cream-yellow, and the labellums yellow-orange. It also produces fruit capsules from January to August. [4] The seeds are wind dispersed. [3]

Taxonomy

E. aestivalis is from the family Orchidaceae. Unlike those found elsewhere, the E. aestivalis specimens from the Chatham Islands are not distinct, and seem to grade into E. mucronata . [3]

Distribution

It is endemic to New Zealand, and can be found on both the North and South Islands, along with the Chatham Islands and Stewart Island. [2] [4] It is found in coastal and lowland forests. It is usually found on low branches and trunks, but can sometimes be found on cliff faces and rocks. [4]

Conservation status

As of the 2023 assessment by the New Zealand Threat Classification System, it is regarded as "Not Threatened". [4] [3]

References

  1. ↑ Cheeseman, T. F. (1919). "Some Additions to the New Zealand Flora". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 51: 93-94. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q115566242.
  2. 1 2 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Earina aestivalis". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kirby, Catherine L. (2014). Field guide to New Zealand's epiphytes, vines & mistletoes. Hamilton, New Zealand: Environmental Research Institute. p. 132. ISBN   978-0-473-28342-1. OCLC   898868428.
  5. ↑ Eggli, Urs; Newton, Leonard E. (2004). Etymological Dictionary of Succulent Plant Names. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer. p. 4. ISBN   978-3-540-00489-9 . Retrieved 12 November 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.