Sarcochilus weinthalii

Last updated

Blotched butterfly orchid
Comprehensive catalogue of Queensland plants, both indigenous and naturalised. To which are added, where known, the aboriginal and other vernacular names; with numerous illustrations, and copious (14782706152).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Sarcochilus
Species:
S. weinthalii
Binomial name
Sarcochilus weinthalii
Synonyms [2]

Sarcochilus weinthalii, commonly known as the blotched butterfly orchid, [3] is a small epiphytic orchid endemic to eastern Australia. It has between three and seven thin, leathery, yellowish green leaves and up to twelve cream-coloured flowers with large purple or reddish blotches.

Contents

Description

Sarcochilus weinthalii is a small epiphytic herb with stems 40–80 mm (2–3 in) long and between three and seven thin, leathery, yellowish green leaves 50–90 mm (2.0–3.5 in) long and 10–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) wide. Between three and twelve cream-coloured flowers with large purple or reddish blotches, 12–16 mm (0.47–0.63 in) long and 12–15 mm (0.47–0.59 in) wide are arranged on a pendulous stem 50–70 mm (2–3 in) long. The sepals and petals are elliptic to spatula-shaped and the flowers are sometimes cup-shaped. The dorsal sepal is 7–10 mm (0.28–0.39 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) wide whilst the lateral sepals are slightly longer and wider. The petals are 6–9 mm (0.24–0.35 in) long and about 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) wide. The labellum is cream-coloured with purplish markings, about 1.5 mm (0.06 in) long with three lobes. The side lobes are erect, about 4 mm (0.2 in) long and curved inwards and the middle lobe has a rounded, fleshy spur about 2 mm (0.08 in) long. Flowering occurs between August and October. [1] [3] [4] [5]

Taxonomy and naming

Sarcochilus weinthalii was first formally described in 1904 by Frederick Manson Bailey and the description was published in the Queensland Agricultural Journal from a specimen collected near Toowoomba by Ferdinand August Weinthal. [6] The specific epithet (weinthalii) honours the collector of the type specimen. [6]

Distribution and habitat

The blotched butterfly orchid grows in forest and scrub in hilly between the Bunya Mountains in Queensland and the Richmond River in New South Wales. [3] [4]

Conservation

This orchid is classed as "vulnerable" under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the New South Wales Government Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. The main threats to the species are illegal collecting and inappropriate fire regimes. [1] [3] [5]

Related Research Articles

<i>Cymbidium canaliculatum</i> Species of orchid

Cymbidium canaliculatum, commonly known as the channelled boat-lip orchid, tiger boat-lip orchid, native cymbidium or tiger orchid is a plant in the orchid family and is endemic to Australia. It is a clump-forming epiphyte with large, greyish green pseudobulbs, each with up to six curved, deeply channelled leaves and up to sixty fragrant, variably coloured flowers that often have spots and blotches and a white to cream-coloured labellum with red markings. This orchid usually grows in the forks or hollows of trees and is found from New South Wales to the northern parts of Western Australia.

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

Dendrobium gracilicaule, commonly known as the blotched cane orchid or yellow cane orchid, is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid in the family Orchidaceae. It has cylindrical pseudobulbs, between three and seven thin leaves and up to thirty often drooping, cream-coloured to yellow or greenish flowers, sometimes with reddish brown blotches on the back. There are two varieties, one occurring in Queensland and New South Wales and the other on some Pacific Islands, including Lord Howe Island.

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

Dendrobium jonesii, commonly known as the oak orchid is a species of epiphytic or lithophytic orchid endemic to far north Queensland. It has spindle-shaped pseudobulbs, up to seven thin, dark green leaves and up to thirty five crowded, star-like, fragrant cream-coloured or white flowers with purple markings on the labellum.

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

Dendrobium tetragonum, commonly known as the tree spider orchid, is a variable species of epiphytic or lithophytic orchid endemic to eastern Australia. Tree spider orchids are unusual in having pendulous pseudobulbs that are thin and wiry near the base then expand into a fleshy, four-sided upper section before tapering at the tip. There are only a few thin but leathery leaves at the end of the pseudobulbs and up to five flowers on relatively short flowering stems. To allow for the variations in the species there are five subspecies and a variety, some with a unique common name.

<i>Sarcochilus falcatus</i> Species of orchid

Sarcochilus falcatus, commonly known as the orange blossom orchid, is a small epiphytic or lithophytic orchid that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has up to eight, leathery leaves with fine teeth on the edges and up to twelve white to cream-coloured flowers with a white labellum that has orange and purple markings.

Bulbophyllum bracteatum, commonly known as the blotched pineapple orchid, is a species of epiphytic or sometimes lithophytic orchid that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has crowded pseudobulbs, tough, pale green or yellowish leaves and up to twenty five cream-coloured to yellowish flowers with purplish or reddish blotches. It usually grows in the tops of rainforest trees.

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

Dendrobium trilamellatum, commonly known as the fragrant tea tree orchid or large tea tree orchid, is a species of epiphytic orchid found in northern Australia and New Guinea. It has spindle-shaped pseudobulbs, between three and seven leathery, dark green leaves and between three and fifteen yellow, yellowish brown or brown flowers with a mauve to purple labellum.

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

Dendrobium callitrophilum, commonly known as the thin feather orchid, is an epiphytic orchid in the family Orchidaceae with narrow pseudobulbs, one or two thin, leathery leaves and up to six greenish yellow flowers with a cream-coloured or apricot-coloured labellum. It grows in or near rainforest in isolated parts of tropical North Queensland.

Caladenia richardsiorum, commonly known as the little dip spider orchid, Richards' spider orchid or robe spider orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to South Australia. It is a ground orchid with a single erect, hairy leaf and usually only one yellowish-green flower. It is similar to the endangered Mellblom's spider orchid but has a much larger leaf and the petals lack glandular tips.

Thelymitra fuscolutea, commonly called the chestnut sun orchid, is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single erect, flat, leathery leaf and up to fifteen or more yellowish green flowers with reddish brown streaks and blotches. The column has broad, deeply fringed cream or whitish wings.

<i>Sarcochilus parviflorus</i> Species of orchid

Sarcochilus parviflorus, commonly known as the southern lawyer orchid or green tree orchid, is an epiphytic orchid endemic to eastern Australia. It has up to eight rigid leaves and up to twelve small bright green to yellowish green flowers with reddish markings on the labellum.

Dendrobium clementsii, commonly known as the Cape York crimp orchid, is a species of epiphytic or lithophytic orchid that is endemic to tropical North Queensland, Australia. It has long stems, tapering pseudobulbs each with a thin, leathery dark green leaf and clusters of short-lived, cream-coloured flowers with a purple labellum.

Dendrobium epiphyticum, commonly known as the Illawarra rock orchid, is a species of epiphytic or lithophytic orchid that is endemic to New South Wales. It has tapered or cylindrical pseudobulbs, up to five thick, leathery leaves and up to fifty cream-coloured or pale yellow flowers with reddish purple markings on the labellum.

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>Pomatocalpa marsupiale</i> Species of orchid

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.

Sarcochilus argochilus, commonly known as the northern lawyer orchid, is a small epiphytic orchid endemic to Queensland. It has up to eight thin leaves and up to twelve small bright green to yellowish green flowers with a white labellum.

Sarcochilus dilatatus, commonly known as the brown butterfly orchid, is a small epiphytic orchid endemic to eastern Australia. It has up to twelve, thin, leathery, dark green leaves and up to twelve brown or reddish brown flowers with a mostly white and yellow labellum.

<i>Sarcochilus hirticalcar</i> Species of orchid

Sarcochilus hirticalcar, commonly known as the harlequin orchid, is a small epiphytic orchid endemic to Queensland. It has up to eight bright green leaves and up to twelve cream-coloured to bright yellow flowers with purplish to reddish brown bands.

<i>Sarcochilus serrulatus</i> Species of orchid

Sarcochilus serrulatus, commonly known as the banded butterfly orchid, is an epiphytic orchid endemic to tropical North Queensland. It has up to six crowded leaves with finely toothed and wavy edges and up to ten reddish brown flowers with a white, yellow-banded labellum.

Sarcochilus spathulatus, commonly known as the small butterfly orchid, is a small epiphytic orchid endemic to eastern Australia. It has a single, more or less pendent growth with up to ten thin, leathery leaves and up to five green to dark brown flowers with a cream-coloured labellum that has purple markings.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Approved Conservation Advice for Sarcochilus weinthalii (blotched sarcochilus)" (PDF). Australian Government Department of the Environment. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  2. 1 2 "Sarcochilus weinthalii". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 452. ISBN   1877069124.
  4. 1 2 Weston, Peter H. "Sarcochilus weinthalii". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  5. 1 2 "Blotched Sarcochilus - profile". New South Wales Government Office of the Environment and Heriatage. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  6. 1 2 "Sarcochilus weinthalii". APNI. Retrieved 6 January 2019.