Rhinerrhiza

Last updated

Raspy root orchid
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Vandeae
Subtribe: Aeridinae
Genus: Rhinerrhiza
Rupp [1]
Species:
R. divitiflora
Binomial name
Rhinerrhiza divitiflora
Synonyms [2]
  • Sarcochilus divitiflorus F.Muell. ex Benth.
  • Thrixspermum divitiflorum(F.Muell. ex Benth.) Rchb.f.
  • Sarcochilus freemanii Rchb.f.
  • Thrixspermum freemanii(Rchb.f.) Rchb.f.
  • Rhinerrhiza freemanii(Rchb.f.) Garay

Rhinerrhiza divitiflora, commonly known as the raspy root orchid, [3] is the only species in the genus Rhinerrhiza from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid with usually only a single stem, many flat, raspy roots, between two and six leathery leaves and up to sixty pale orange flowers with red spots and blotches. The sepals and petals are narrow, thin and pointed. It mainly grows on rainforest trees and is found between the Atherton Tableland in Queensland and the Hunter River in New South Wales.

Contents

Description

Rhinerrhiza divitiflora is an epiphytic or lithophytic herb, usually with only a single stiff shoot 15–40 millimetres (0.59–1.6 in) long with broad, flat, raspy roots. There are between two and six leathery, dark green, narrow oblong leaves 80–150 millimetres (3.1–5.9 in) long and 25–30 millimetres (0.98–1.2 in) wide. Between six and sixty pale pale orange flowers with red spots and blotches, 40–50 millimetres (1.6–2.0 in) long and wide are borne on pendulous flowering stems 200–300 millimetres (7.9–12 in) long. The flowers open sporadically and in groups, the sepals and petals spreading widely apart from each other, the sepals 35–50 millimetres (1.4–2.0 in) long and 2 millimetres (0.079 in) wide. The petals are slightly shorter than the sepals. The labellum is about 4 millimetres (0.16 in) long and 3 millimetres (0.12 in) wide with three lobes. The side lobes are erect and the middle lobe is short and blunt with a short spur. Flowering occurs from August to November but the flowers only last for one or two days. [3] [4] [5] [6]

Taxonomy and naming

The raspy root orchid was first formally described in 1873 by George Bentham after an unpublished description by Ferdinand von Mueller who gave it the name Saccolabium divitiflorus and published the description in Flora Australiensis from a specimen collected by Robert D. FitzGerald near the Macleay River. [7] [8] In 1954, Herman Rupp changed the name to Rhinerrhiza divitiflora. [9] [6] The name Rhinerrhiza is derived from the Ancient Greek words rhine meaning "file", "rasp" or "shark" [10] :659 and rhiza meaning "root". [10] :666 The specific epithet is derived from the Latin words dives meaning "rich" or "wealthy" [10] :849 and flos meaning "flower". [10] :45

Distribution and habitat

Rhinerrhiza divitiflora grows on trees in rainforest and other humid forests and sometimes on rocks. It is found between the Atherton Tableland in Queensland and the Humter River in New South Wales. [3] [4] [5]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Dendrobium discolor</i> Species of orchid

Dendrobium discolor, commonly known as antler orchids, are epiphytic or lithophytic orchids in the family Orchidaceae. They have cylindrical pseudobulbs, each with between ten and thirty five leathery leaves, and flowering stems with up to forty mostly brownish or greenish flowers with wavy and twisted sepals and petals. Antler orchids occur in northern Australia, New Guinea and Indonesia and there are several subspecies and varieties.

Mobilabium hamatum, commonly known as hook-leaf, is the only species in the genus Mobilabium from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is an epiphytic orchid with between three and twelve stiff, oblong leaves with a hooked tip. There are up to fifteen star-shaped, cream-coloured, pale green or brownish flowers with red or purple markings. The labellum has three lobes with the middle lobe hollow and containing sticky nectar. It mainly grows on rainforest trees at higher altitudes and is found in tropical North Queensland.

<i>Papillilabium</i> Genus of orchids

Papillilabium beckleri, commonly known as the imp orchid, is the only species in the genus Papillilabium from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is a small, epiphytic orchid with many thin roots, between two and six linear leaves and up to eight pale green or brownish flowers. The flowers are fragrant, produce nectar and have a warty labellum. It grows on shrubs and trees in humid places and near streams and is found between south-east Queensland and the Sydney region in New South Wales.

<i>Peristeranthus</i> Genus of orchids

Peristeranthus hillii, commonly known as the beetle orchid or brown fairy-chain orchid is the only species in the genus Peristeranthus from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid with more or less pendulous stems, between three and ten widely spaced, leathery leaves and a large number of pale green, often spotted flowers. It mainly grows on tree trunks and thick vines in rainforest and is found between the Bloomfield River in Queensland and Port Macquarie in New South Wales.

Schistotylus purpuratus, commonly known as purple sprites, is the only species in the genus Schistotylus from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is a small epiphytic orchid with up to six crowded, linear leaves and up to ten cup-shaped, pale green flowers with purple marking and a mostly white labellum. It grows in rainforest and swampy heath in eastern Australia.

<i>Dendrobium bowmanii</i>

Dendrobium bowmanii, commonly known as the straggly pencil orchid, is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid in the family Orchidaceae. It has thin wiry, straggly stems with a small number of small leaves and up to four greenish or brownish flowers with a conspicuous white labellum. It grows in drier rainforests and coastal scrub in New South Wales, southern Queensland and New Caledonia.

<i>Dendrobium monophyllum</i> Species of orchid

Dendrobium monophyllum, commonly known as the lily-of-the-valley orchid, is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid in the family Orchidaceae. It has pale green to yellowish pseudobulbs with one or two leaves, and between five and twenty bell-shaped yellow flowers. It grows in rainforest in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia.

<i>Dendrobium racemosum</i> Species of orchid

Dendrobium racemosum, commonly known as the erect pencil orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to tropical North Queensland. It is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid with yellowish stems, cylindrical dark green leaves and flowering stems with between eight and fifteen cream-coloured to pale yellow flowers with a thread-like tip on the labellum. It grows on trees and rocks in exposed positions in highland areas and in the tops of rainforest trees at lower altitudes.

<i>Dendrobium taylorii</i> Species of orchid

Dendrobium taylorii, commonly known as the smooth burr orchid, is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid in the family Orchidaceae and is endemic to tropical North Queensland, Australia. It has a single leathery, dark green leaf on a cylindrical stem and one or two small white flowers. Unlike other burr orchids, this species is insect-pollinated. It grows in rainforest, mangroves and sheltered forests.

Dendrobium deuteroeburneum, commonly known as the rainforest feather orchid, is a species of epiphytic or lithophytic orchid that is endemic to eastern Australia. Its pseudobulbs are cylindrical, pressed against the host tree or rock and have one or two leathery, dark green leaves and up to seven pale greenish cream-coloured flowers with purple markings on the labellum.

<i>Micropera fasciculata</i> Species of orchid

Micropera fasciculata, commonly known as the pale dismal orchid, is a species of epiphytic or lithophytic orchid with wiry stems forming large, tangled clumps. It has stiff, leathery leaves and flowering stems with between ten and twenty cream-coloured flowers with a white labellum. This orchid occurs in New Guinea, Queensland, the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia.

<i>Pomatocalpa macphersonii</i>

Pomatocalpa macphersonii, commonly known as the blotched bladder orchid, is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid with thick, cord-like roots, between two and eight dark green, leathery leaves and up to thirty cup-shaped, yellow flowers with red blotches and a white labellum with red blotches. It usually grows on rainforest trees and is found in New Guinea and tropical North Queensland, Australia.

<i>Pomatocalpa marsupiale</i>

Pomatocalpa marsupiale, commonly known as the branched bladder orchid, is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid that forms large clumps. It has many thick roots, branched stems, many strap-like, leathery leaves and up to many upward-facing green flowers with a cream-coloured or yellowish labellum. It usually grows on high on rainforest trees and is found between Sulawesi and tropical North Queensland, Australia.

Rhinerrhizopsis matutina, commonly known as the cupped freckle orchid, is an epiphytic orchid from the family Orchidaceae. It has thin, spreading roots, fibrous stems, between three and eight dark green, leathery leaves and up to fifty fragrant, short-lived, yellowish flowers with brown blotches and a white or yellowish labellum. It usually grows on rainforest trees and is found in tropical North Queensland, Australia.

<i>Robiquetia gracilistipes</i>

Robiquetia gracilistipes, commonly known as the large pouched orchid, is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid from the family Orchidaceae that forms large, hanging, straggly clumps. It has long, thick, roots, a single stem, many thick, leathery leaves and up to forty cream-coloured, pale green or brownish flowers with red spots and a three-lobed labellum. It grows on trees and rocks in rainforest, usually in bright light. It is found in Malesia including New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and tropical North Queensland, Australia.

<i>Taeniophyllum lobatum</i> Species of orchid

Taeniophyllum lobatum, commonly known as the yellow ribbonroot, is a species of leafless epiphytic or lithophytic orchid that forms small clumps. It has short stems, flattened pale to greyish green roots pressed against the substrate on which it is growing and usually two pale to bright yellow flowers. It only occurs in tropical North Queensland.

<i>Trachoma speciosum</i> Species of orchid

Trachoma speciosum, commonly known as the showy spectral orchid, is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid that forms clumps with many thick, cord-like roots, between four and eight thick, leathery leaves and many short-lived, cream-coloured flowers with an orange and white labellum. This orchid occurs in tropical North Queensland.

<i>Trachoma stellatum</i> Species of orchid

Trachoma stellatum, commonly known as the starry spectral orchid, is an epiphytic or lithophytic clump-forming orchid with many thick roots. It has between three and eight thick, leathery leaves and many short-lived, cream-coloured flowers with purple markings and a yellow-tipped labellum. This orchid occurs in tropical North Queensland.

Trachoma papuanum, commonly known as the yellow spectral orchid, is an epiphytic or lithophytic clump-forming orchid with a between three and six thick, fleshy leaves and many dull yellow flowers with a white labellum opening in groups of up to four. This orchid occurs in New Guinea, Queensland and some islands in the South Pacific.

<i>Trichoglottis australiensis</i> Species of orchid

Trichoglottis australiensis, commonly known as the weeping cherub orchid, is an epiphytic or lithophytic clump-forming orchid. It has thick, cord-like roots, flattened, branching stems, many thick, leathery, glossy leaves and between two and six creamy yellow flowers with reddish blotches. This orchid only occurs in tropical North Queensland.

References

  1. "Rhinerrhiza". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  2. 1 2 "Rhinerrhiza divitiflora". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  3. 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. 443. ISBN   1877069124.
  4. 1 2 Weston, Peter H. "Rhinerrhiza divitiflora". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  5. 1 2 "Rhinerrhiza divitiflora". Trin keys: Australian Tropical Rainforest Orchids. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  6. 1 2 Rupp, Herman (1951). "Proposed new genus of orchids". The Victorian Naturalist. 67: 206–210. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  7. "Saccolabium divitiflorus". APNI. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  8. Bentham, George (1873). Flora Australiensis (Volume 6). London: Lovell Reeve & Co. pp. 292–293. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  9. "Rhinerrhiza divitiflora". APNI. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.