Nervilia peltata

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Grey shield orchid
(Nervilia)(peltata)()(p)(lv)(RKerrigan)()(B. Crase 1300)().jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Nervilia
Species:
N. peltata
Binomial name
Nervilia peltata

Nervilia peltata, commonly known as the grey shield orchid, [2] is a small terrestrial orchid found in northern Australia. It has up to three pale green, short-lived flowers with a white labellum and a more or less circular leaf which emerges at the base of the flowering stem after flowering.

Contents

Description

Nervilia peltata (Nervilia)(peltata)()(p)(wp)(RKerrigan)()(B. Crase 1300)().jpg
Nervilia peltata

Nervilia peltata is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, sympodial herb which grows in colonies with only a few individuals producing flowers in any one year. A single pale green flower 20–28 mm (0.8–1 in) long and wide is borne on an erect, fleshy flowering stem 100–200 mm (4–8 in) tall. The sepals are 18–23 mm (0.7–0.9 in) long and about 3 mm (0.1 in) wide and the petals are similar but slightly shorter and narrower. The labellum is white with a wide fringe and small calli. The flower only lasts for about one day, following which a single leaf develops, including on those plants that did not flower. The leaf is pale greyish green, more or less circular with a central stalk, 20–45 mm (0.8–2 in) in diameter with irregular edges. Flowering occurs between December and February. [2] [3]

Taxonomy and naming

Nervilia peltata was first formally described in 1994 by Bruce Gray and David Jones and the description was published in the journal Austrobaileya . [4] The specific epithet (peltata) is a Latin word meaning "shield-shaped" or "armed with a shield". [5]

Distribution and habitat

Habitat (Nervilia)(peltata)()(p)(habitat)(RKerrigan)()(B. Crase 1300)().jpg
Habitat

The grey shield orchid occurs on the Cape York Peninsula as far south as Hinchinbrook Island and on some of the islands in the Torres Strait. It is also found in the northern part of the Northern Territory. The usual habitat is forest or woodland where the orchid grows with grasses, often in large open colonies. [2]

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<i>Nervilia concolor</i> Species of orchid

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<i>Pterostylis mutica</i> Species of orchid

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<i>Pterostylis depauperata</i> Species of orchid

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Pterostylis nigricans, commonly known as the dark greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to eastern Australia. As with similar orchids, the flowering plants differ from those which are not flowering. The non-flowering plants have a rosette of leaves but the flowering plants lack a rosette at the base but have up to six tiny green, white and brown flowers which have a rough texture.

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.

Diuris luteola, commonly called the northern doubletail, is a species of orchid which is endemic to Queensland. It has a single linear leaf at its base and up to six pale yellow flowers with a few brown markings. It grows in shallow, stony soil on tablelands in eastern parts of the state.

<i>Corybas barbarae</i> Species of orchid

Corybas barbarae, commonly known as fairy lanterns, is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to eastern Australia including Lord Howe Island. It has a single dark green or reddish green, heart-shaped leaf and a small sparkling white or pinkish flower with an inflated dorsal sepal obscuring its hairy labellum.

Corybas cerasinus, commonly known as the red helmet orchid, is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to tropical north Queensland. It has a single bluish green, heart-shaped leaf and a cherry red to dark maroon flower with its curved dorsal sepal obscuring its labellum which has an upturned tip.

Corybas montanus, commonly known as the montane helmet orchid, is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to Queensland. It forms small colonies and has single heart-shaped to round leaf and a reddish, self-pollinating flower with a curved dorsal sepal. It is only known from the Mount Barney National Park in south-east Queensland.

Calochilus ammobius, commonly known as the sand beard orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to Queensland. It has a single leaf which is not present during flowering and up to three dull green flowers with reddish brown streaks and a labellum with a purple "beard".

Calochilus caesius, commonly known as the blue beard orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the Northern Territory in Australia. It has a single leaf which is not present during flowering and up to five pale green, very short-lived flowers with a bluish-red "beard".

Calochilus holtzei, commonly known as the ghostly beard orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to northwestern Australia. It has a single leaf and up to twenty pale green to yellowish flowers with red markings and a labellum with a greenish "beard".

Calochilus praealtus, commonly known as the lofty beard orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. It has a single pale green leaf and up to six pale green flowers with faint red stripes and a labellum with a dark purple beard. It is only known from two mountainous areas.

<i>Nervilia crociformis</i> Species of orchid

Nervilia crociformis, commonly known as the trembling nervilia or round shield orchid, is a small terrestrial orchid found in South and Southeast Asia and in New Guinea and northern Australia. It has a single short-lived green flower with a white labellum. A more or less circular leaf held horizontally above the ground emerges at the base of the flowering stem after flowering.

Nervilia holochila, commonly known as the ribbed shield orchid, is a small terrestrial orchid found in northern Australia. It has up to six pink, greenish or cream-coloured, short-lived flowers with a pink to mauve labellum. A dark green, egg-shaped leaf emerges at the base of the flowering stem after flowering.

Nervilia uniflora, commonly known as the red shield orchid, is a small terrestrial orchid found in northern Queensland. It has a single short-lived, pink or mauve flower. A dark green, heart-shaped leaf emerges at the base of the flowering stem after flowering.

References

  1. "Nervilia peltata". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  2. 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. p. 281. ISBN   978-1877069123.
  3. Gray, Bruce; Jones, David L. (1994). "Nervilia peltata (Orchidaceae), a new species from north-eastern Queensland and the Northern Territory". Austrobaileya. 4 (2): 195–198. JSTOR   41738852.
  4. "Nervilia peltata". APNI. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  5. Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 705.