Genoplesium superbum

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Pink 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. simulans
Binomial name
Genoplesium simulans
Synonyms [1]

Corunastylis superba(D.L.Jones) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.

Contents

Genoplesium superbum, commonly known as the pink midge orchid or superb midge orchid, is a species of small terrestrial orchid that is endemic to New South Wales. It has a single thin leaf and up to fifteen dark pinkish-purple flowers which lean downwards. It is listed as "endangered" in New South Wales because of its limited distribution and disturbance of its habitat.

Description

Genoplesium superbum is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single thin leaf 140–180 mm (6–7 in) long with the free part 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long. Between four and fifteen dark pinkish-purple flowers are arranged along a flowering stem 25–50 mm (1–2 in) long, reaching to a height of 170–230 mm (7–9 in). The flowers lean downwards and are about 12 mm (0.5 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 egg-shaped, about 5.5 mm (0.2 in) long and 3 mm (0.1 in) wide with red stripes and hairy edges. The lateral sepals are linear to lance-shaped, about 10 mm (0.4 in) long, 1.5 mm (0.06 in) wide, dark pinkish-purple and spread widely apart from each other. The petals are lance-shaped to egg-shaped, about 5 mm (0.2 in) long, 2 mm (0.08 in) wide with dark red stripes and hairy edges. The labellum is narrow egg-shaped, pinkish-purple, about 7.5 mm (0.3 in) long and 3 mm (0.1 in) wide with tangled, pinkish-mauve hairs up to 2 mm (0.08 in) long on its edges. There is a pale green to cream-coloured callus with purplish markings in the centre of the labellum and covering less than half of its surface. Flowering occurs from December to March. [2] [3] [4]

Taxonomy and naming

The pink midge orchid was first formally described in 1991 by David Jones and the description was published in Australian Orchid Research. [5] In 2002, Jones and Mark Clements changed the name to Corunastylis superba but that name is not accepted by the Australian Plant Census. [1] [6] The specific epithet (superbum) is a Latin word meaning "excellent, superior or splendid", [7] referring to the relatively large, colourful flowers of this orchid. [3]

Distribution and habitat

Genoplesium simulans grows with low shrubs in and near the Morton National Park. [2] [3]

Conservation

This midge orchid is only known from two locations near Nerriga and another north of Wallerawang. The species is threatened by its small population size, habitat disturbance caused by vehicle damage and weed infestation, especially of ox-eye daisy. It has been classed as "Endangered" under the New South Wales Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 . [8]

Related Research Articles

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 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.

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

Genoplesium apostasioides, commonly known as the freak midge orchid, is a small terrestrial orchid endemic to New South Wales. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to fifteen small, yellowish green flowers with a reddish labellum. The flowers do not open widely and are self-pollinating. It grows in heath and shallow moss gardens on rock ledges from the Blue Mountains to Nerriga.

Genoplesium citriodorum, commonly known as the lemon-scented 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 thirty three small, lemon scented, dark purplish black flowers. It usually grows under shrubs in shallow sandstone soil in the Blue Mountains.

Genoplesium formosum, commonly known as the Cathcart midge orchid is a small terrestrial orchid found in southern New South Wales. It has a single thin leaf and up to twenty five dark reddish purple flowers with darker lines.

Genoplesium insigne, commonly known as the dark midge orchid or Wyong midge orchid is a species of small terrestrial orchid that is endemic to New South Wales. It has a single thin leaf and up to twelve dark purple to dark reddish purple flowers. It is mostly found in heath on the Central Coast and only around fifty plants survive.

Genoplesium morinum, commonly known as the mulberry 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 twenty crowded, dark reddish purple flowers. It has been known as "mulberries on sticks".

Genoplesium ostrinum, commonly known as the purple midge orchid is a species of small terrestrial orchid that is endemic to New South Wales. It has a single thin leaf and up to ten dark purple flowers with darker stripes and a hairy labellum which vibrates in the slightest breeze.

Genoplesium pedersonii, commonly known as Pederson's midge orchid, is a species of small terrestrial orchid endemic to the Blackdown Tableland in Queensland. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to thirty small, greenish red to reddish, self-pollinating flowers with a dark purplish red labellum. The species is treated as Corunastylis pedersonii in Queensland.

Genoplesium sigmoideum, commonly known as the Dave's Creek midge orchid, is a species of small terrestrial orchid that is endemic to a small area in the Lamington National Park in Queensland. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to twenty dark red flowers with a hairy labellum. The species is treated as Corunastylis sigmoidea in Queensland.

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

Genoplesium vernale, commonly known as the spring midge orchid or East Lynne midge orchid is a small terrestrial orchid which is endemic to a small area on the south coast of New South Wales. It has a single thin leaf and up to twenty five dark purplish-black flowers with tiny glandular hairs on the sepals and petals.

Genoplesium simulans, commonly known as the Blue Mountains midge orchid is a small terrestrial orchid which is endemic to New South Wales, where it mainly occurs in the Blue Mountains. It has a single thin leaf and up to twenty three dark purplish-black flowers which lean downwards.

Genoplesium superbum, commonly known as the Kangarooby midge orchid, is a species of small terrestrial orchid that is endemic to New South Wales. It has a single thin leaf and up to thirty two hairy, light reddish flowers which lean downwards and have a dark purple 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.

Genoplesium tectum, commonly known as the Cardwell midge orchid, is a small terrestrial orchid endemic to a small area in north-eastern Queensland. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to thirty light red flowers with a dark reddish-black, hairy labellum.

Genoplesium turfosum, commonly known as the alpine midge orchid, is a small terrestrial orchid endemic to a small area in the higher parts of New South Wales. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to twenty five dark purplish-red, crowded flowers with a sparsely hairy labellum.

Genoplesium validum, commonly known as the Blackdown midge orchid, is a species of small terrestrial orchid that is endemic to the Blackdown Tableland National Park in Queensland. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to thirty five greenish-brown flowers with reddish stripes and a hairy labellum. This species is treated as Corunastylis valida in Queensland.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Genoplesium superbum". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  2. 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. 178. ISBN   1877069124.
  3. 1 2 3 Jones, David L. (1991). "New taxa of Australian Orchidaceae". Australian Orchid Research. 2: 72.
  4. Jones, David L. "Genoplesium superbum". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  5. "Genoplesium superbum". APNI. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  6. "Corunastylis superba". APNI. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  7. Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 770.
  8. "Superb midge orchid - profile". New South Wales Government Office of Environment and Heritage. Retrieved 10 February 2018.