Genoplesium nudiscapum

Last updated

Bare midge orchid
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Genoplesium
Species:
G. nudiscapum
Binomial name
Genoplesium nudiscapum
Synonyms [1]
  • Corunastylis nudiscapa(Hook.f.) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.
  • Corunastylis sp. aff. nudiscapa
  • Corunastylis sp. aff. nudiscapa (Otway Ranges)
  • Genoplesium sp. aff. nudiscapum
  • Prasophyllum nudiscapumHook.f.

Genoplesium nudiscapum, commonly known as the bare midge orchid, is a species of small terrestrial orchid endemic to Tasmania. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to twenty small, green and reddish-brown flowers. It was thought to be extinct, since it had not been seen since 1852 but was rediscovered in 2008. The species has also been described as occurring on continental Australia. The species is known as Corunastylis nudiscapa in Tasmania.

Contents

Description

Genoplesium nudiscapum is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single thin leaf 60–80 mm (2–3 in) long and fused to the flowering stem with the free part up to 10 mm (0.4 in) long. Between three and twenty green and reddish-brown flowers are crowded along a green flowering spike 8–15 mm (0.3–0.6 in) long reaching to a height of 40–120 mm (2–5 in). The flowers are entirely glabrous, lean forwards and are about 5 mm (0.2 in) long, 3.5 mm (0.1 in) wide. As with others in the genus, the flowers are inverted so that the labellum is above the column rather than below it. The dorsal sepal is about 2.5 mm (0.1 in) long, 1.5 mm (0.06 in) wide and has a pointed tip. The lateral sepals are lance-shaped, about 4.5 mm (0.18 in) long, 1 mm (0.04 in) wide, turn downwards and are free from each other. The petals are egg-shaped, 2.5 mm (0.1 in) long, about 1 mm (0.04 in) wide with a small white gland on the tip. The labellum is narrow oblong, about 2 mm (0.08 in) long, 1 mm (0.04 in) wide with a callus in its centre and extending almost to its tip. Flowering occurs from February to mid-April. [2] [3] [4]

Taxonomy and naming

Genoplesium nudiscapum was first formally described in 1853 by Joseph Dalton Hooker who gave it the name Prasophyllum nudiscapum and published the description in The botany of the Antarctic voyage of H.M. discovery ships Erebus and Terror. III. Flora Tasmaniae. [5] [6] In 1989, David Jones and Mark Clements changed the name to Genoplesium nudiscapum. [7] At that time, G. nudiscapum was described as occurring in New South Wales and Victoria but extinct in Tasmania, not having been seen there since 1852. In 2002 Jones and Clements changed the name again to Corunastylis nudiscapa but the change is not accepted by the Australian Plant Census. [1] [8]

In 2008, the Tasmanian orchid was rediscovered in the foothills of Mount Wellington. Corunastylis nudiscapa is now regarded by the Australian Plant Census as a Tasmanian endemic and orchids previously known as C. nudiscapa/Genoplesium nudiscapum on the mainland to be either Corunastylis leptochila or C. densa . [9]

The National Herbarium of New South Wales lists Genoplesium nudiscapum as occurring in that state. [10]

Distribution and habitat

Genoplesium nudiscapum grows in heathy woodland and forest dominated by Eucalyptus tenuiramis or Eucalyptus obliqua in two locations near Hobart. [3]

Conservation

The total population of the bare midge orchid is estimated at about 250 plants and the species is listed as "Endangered" under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 . It is threatened by land clearing, weed invasion and management and by inappropriate fire regimes. [3]

Related Research Articles

<i>Genoplesium plumosum</i> Species of orchid

Genoplesium plumosum, commonly known as the Tallong midge-orchid or plumed midge-orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to New South Wales. It is a small orchid only known from a few sites near the towns of Tallong and Wingello on the Southern Tablelands and is only relatively easy to find for about a month, when it flowers. It has been classified as "Endangered" under the EPBC Act.

<i>Corunastylis</i> Genus of orchids

Corunastylis is a genus of about 50 species of plants in the orchid family, Orchidaceae. Commonly called midge orchids or pygmy orchids, they are terrestrial, deciduous, perennial, tuberous herbs found in Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. They are similar to orchids in the genus Genoplesium and have been included with them in the past.

<i>Genoplesium</i> Genus of orchids

Genoplesium commonly known as midge orchids, is a genus of about 50 species of flowering plants in the orchid family, Orchidaceae and is found in Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. Midge orchids are terrestrial herbs with a single leaf at the base of the plant. They are similar to orchids in the genus Prasophyllum in that plants without flowers have a hollow, onion-like leaf. The flowers are small but often scented and attractive to their insect pollinators. There is disagreement about which species belong to this genus and some taxonomists suggest that most belong in the genus Corunastylis.

<i>Genoplesium nigricans</i> Species of orchid

Genoplesium nigricans, commonly known as mallee midge orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to Australia. It is a terrestrial herb with a single leaf mostly surrounding the stem, and up to 50 tiny, greenish flowers with a deep maroon-coloured labellum and often have a fruity fragrance. Australian authorities use the name Corunastylis tepperi, a widespread species which has been confused with Corunastylis nigricans, a species with purplish brown flowers and which only occurs on Kangaroo Island and the Eyre Peninsula.

<i>Genoplesium nudum</i> Species of orchid

Genoplesium nudum, commonly known as the tiny midge orchid in Australia or the red midge orchid in New Zealand, is a small terrestrial orchid native to south-eastern Australia and New Zealand. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to forty small, reddish-purple or green and red flowers. Australian and New Zealand authorities use the name Corunastylis nuda but Genoplesium nudum and Prasophyllum transversum are used by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families.

Genoplesium rufum, commonly known as the rufous midge-orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to New South Wales. It has a single thin, wiry leaf and up to twenty five drooping, pinkish or reddish flowers on a flowering stem which is fused to the lower part of the leaf. It was formerly thought to range from Queensland to South Australia and Tasmania but specimens in other states are now assigned to Genoplesium clivicola.

<i>Genoplesium filiforme</i> Species of orchid

Genoplesium filiforme, commonly known as the glandular midge orchid is a small terrestrial orchid endemic to the east coast of Australia. It has a single thin leaf and up to thirty greenish to purple flowers with a reddish-purple labellum. The edges of its flower parts are covered with many short glandular hairs. It is found from southern Queensland to southern New South Wales.

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

Genoplesium despectans, commonly known as the sharp midge orchid and known as Corunastylis despectans in Australia, is a small terrestrial orchid endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to forty five small, dark purple or green and purple flowers.

<i>Genoplesium morrisii</i> Species of orchid

Genoplesium morrisii, commonly known as the bearded midge orchid and known as Corunastylis morrisii in Australia, is a small terrestrial orchid endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to fifteen small, dark purplish-black or green and purple flowers.

Genoplesium acuminatum, commonly known as the pointed midge orchid and as Corunastylis acuminata in Australia, is a small terrestrial orchid endemic to eastern Australia. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to sixteen small, hairy, greenish purple to brownish purple flowers. It is found in coastal and near-coastal parts of New South Wales and Queensland.

<i>Genoplesium archeri</i> Species of orchid

Genoplesium archeri, commonly known as the elfin midge orchid and as Corunastylis archeri in Australia, is a small terrestrial orchid endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to fifteen small, hairy, yellowish green flowers with purple stripes. It grows in a wide range of habitats in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

Genoplesium brachystachyum, commonly known as the Rocky Cape midge orchid or short-spike midge orchid, is a species of small terrestrial orchid endemic to Tasmania. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to twelve small, green to brownish green, and reddish flowers. It usually grows in heath in rocky places near the coast.

Genoplesium eriochilum, commonly known as the Mount Wilson midge orchid, is a species of small terrestrial orchid endemic to the Blue Mountains. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to twenty small, crowded, dark purplish brown flowers. It usually grows between low shrubs and sedges.

Genoplesium firthii, commonly known as Firth's midge orchid, is a species of small terrestrial orchid endemic to Tasmania. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to six small, yellowish green or reddish flowers with a red labellum. It grows in coastal heath and scrub and is currently known only from a single population of about twelve plants near Coles Bay.

Genoplesium parvicallum, commonly known as the mountain-top midge-orchid, is a species of orchid which is endemic to Queensland. It is a small orchid with up to twenty five greenish flowers with purplish brown marking and is only known from mountaintops in the McPherson Range. It is treated as Corunastylis parvicalla in Queensland.

<i>Genoplesium pumilum</i> Species of orchid

Genoplesium pumilum, commonly known as the green midge orchid in Australia, and the yellow gumland leek orchid in New Zealand is a small terrestrial orchid native to south-eastern Australia and New Zealand. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to twenty five green to yellowish-green flowers which sometimes have red markings. Australian and New Zealand authorities use the name Corunastylis pumila.

<i>Genoplesium ruppii</i> Species of orchid

Genoplesium ruppii, commonly known as Rupp's midge orchid, is a species of small terrestrial orchid that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to twenty five small, hairy green flowers with a purple labellum.

Genoplesium sagittiferum, commonly known as the horned midge orchid, is a species of small terrestrial orchid that is endemic to New South Wales. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to ten small, yellowish-green flowers with a hairy reddish labellum.

Genoplesium tasmanicum, commonly known as the Tasmanian midge orchid, is a species of small terrestrial orchid that is endemic to Tasmania. It has a single thin leaf and up to twenty five dark purplish-black and green flowers. It is widespread and common at lower altitudes.

Corunastylis densa, commonly known as the dense midge orchid, is a small terrestrial orchid endemic to eastern Australia. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to twenty five densely crowded reddish-brown to dark purplish-brown flowers. It is found between the New England National Park and the Moroka River.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Genoplesium nudiscapum". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  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. 189. ISBN   1877069124.
  3. 1 2 3 "Listing statement for Corunastylis nudiscapa". Government of Tasmania Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  4. Stephenson, Alan W. "Corunastylis nudiscapa". Orchid Conservation Coalition. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  5. "Prasophyllum nudiscapum". APNI. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  6. Hooker, Joseph D. (1858). The botany of the Antarctic voyage of H.M. Discovery ships Erebus and Terror. III. Flora Tasmaniae (Volum 2 No. 6). London: Lovell Reeve. p. 13. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  7. "Genoplesium nudiscapum". APNI. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  8. "Corunastylis nudiscapa". APNI. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  9. Walsh, Neville. "Corunastylis leptochila". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  10. Jones, David L. "Genoplesium nudiscapum". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 19 January 2018.