Genoplesium tenellum

Last updated

Genoplesium tenellum
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: Genoplesium
Species:
G. tenellum
Binomial name
Genoplesium tenellum
Synonyms [1]

Corunastylis tenellaD.L.Jones & L.M.Copel.

Genoplesium tenellum is a species of small terrestrial orchid that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has a single leaf fused to the flowering stem and between 5 and 21 green flowers with reddish-purple lines and markings.

Contents

Description

Genoplesium tenellum is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single cylindrical leaf 100–200 mm (3.9–7.9 in) long, sheathing the flowering stem with the free part 10–20 mm (0.39–0.79 in) long and about 2 mm (0.079 in) wide. Between 5 and 21 green flowers with reddish-purple lines and markings are arranged along a flowering stem 100–200 mm (3.9–7.9 in) long. The flowers are 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and about 4 mm (0.16 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 narrowly egg-shaped and forms a hood over the column, about 4 mm (0.16 in) long, 1.6 mm (0.063 in) wide and pale green with red lines and markings. The lateral sepals are linear, 3.5–4.0 mm (0.14–0.16 in) long, about 0.8 mm (0.031 in) wide, and spread apart with a slightly swollen base. The petals are narrowly egg-shaped, 2.5–3.0 mm (0.098–0.118 in) long and about 1.2 mm (0.047 in) wide with red edges and a red stripe along the centre. The labellum is egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, about 2.2 mm (0.087 in) long and 1.2 mm (0.047 in) wide with reddish-purple hairs. There is a purple callus covering the base of the labellum and extending nearly to its tip. Flowering has been observed from Late January to late May. [2]

Taxonomy and naming

This species of orchid was first formally described in 2013 by David Jones and Lachlan Copeland who gave it the name Corunastylis tenella in The Orchadian from specimens Copeland collected near Inverell in 2004. [2] [3] In 2016, Julian Shaw changed the name to Genoplesium tenellum in the Quarterly Supplement to the International Register of Orchid Hybrids (Sander's List) [4] [5] and the name is accepted by Plants of the World Online. [1] The specific epithet (tenellum) means "delicate' or "dainty", referring to the habit and appearance of this species. [2]

Distribution and habitat

Genoplesium tenellum grows in woodland with shrubs and scattered trees around the edges of granite outcrops at altitudes of 710–1,000 m (2,330–3,280 ft). It is only known from near Torrington in northern New South Wales and Stanthorpe in far south-eastern Queensland. [2]

Related Research Articles

<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.

<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 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, 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 arrectum</i> Species of orchid

Genoplesium arrectum, commonly known as the erect midge orchid and as Corunastylis arrecta 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 twenty small, dark purple flowers. It grows in a montane and subalpine grassland and forest in Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory.

Genoplesium capparinum, is a small terrestrial orchid endemic to Victoria. It is one of the midge orchids and has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to twenty small, green flowers with purple markings. It is a rare species, found only in a small area in the south-east of the state.

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

Genoplesium clivicola is species of small terrestrial orchid that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to twenty five small, greenish and reddish flowers. It grows in forest and woodland in Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales.

Genoplesium cranei, commonly known as the Blackall Range midge orchid, is a small terrestrial orchid endemic to the Blackall Range in Queensland. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to twenty small, green to greenish yellow flowers with reddish markings. It grows in open forest with shrubs and grasses.

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

Genoplesium ectopum, commonly known as the Brindabella spider orchid or ectopic midge orchid and as Corunastylis ectopa in Australia, is a small terrestrial orchid endemic to the Australian Capital Territory. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to thirty five small, green and reddish purple flowers. It is only known from the Brindabella Range where it grows in Eucalyptus forest.

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 only known from a single population of about twelve plants near Coles Bay.

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".

<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 leptochilum is a small terrestrial orchid endemic to Victoria. It has a single thin leaf fused to the flowering stem and up to twenty small reddish-brown to dark purplish flowers. It is known from one population with only six plants in forest near a swamp.

Genoplesium carectum is a species of small terrestrial orchid endemic to a restricted part of New South Wales. It has a single leaf fused to the flowering stem and between three and thirteen brownish-green flowers with purple and red markings. It occurs in three populations in swampy places in and near Wollemi National Park.

Genoplesium cuspidatum is a species of small terrestrial orchid endemic to eastern Australia. It has a single leaf fused to the flowering stem and between 6 and 28 reddish to dark purple flowers with prominent darker stripes.

Genoplesium stephensonii, commonly known as Stephenson's midge orchid, is a species of small terrestrial orchid that is endemic to the south-east of New South Wales. It has a single leaf fused to the flowering stem and usually up to five green flowers with pink to reddish markings.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Genoplesium tenellum". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Jones, David L.; Copeland, Lachlan M. (2013). "Corunastylis tenella (Orchidaceae: Diurideae), a new species from north-eastern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland". The Orchadian. 17 (9): 423–425. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  3. "Corunastylis tenella". APNI. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  4. "Genoplesium tenellum". APNI. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  5. Shaw, Julian M.H. "Quarterly Supplement to the International Register of Orchid Hybrids (Sander's List)" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. p. 58. Retrieved 8 August 2023.