Townsonia viridis, commonly known as beech orchid,[2] is a species of orchidendemic to Tasmania. It forms diffuse colonies with tiny, inconspicuous flowers and small, more or less round leaves and grows mainly in mossy places in myrtle beech forest.
Townsonia viridis is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, sympodialherbs which grows in small groups with the tubers connected by a fleshy root. It spreads through mossy patches and leaf litter. Each tuber produces one or two leaves. Both flowering and non-flowering plants have an erect, very thin leaf emerging at ground level. These leaves are pale green to yellowish and have wavy margins. They are 6–15mm (0.2–0.6in) long and 5–8mm (0.2–0.3in) wide with a petiole30–50mm (1–2in) long. Flowering plants also have a similar leaf on the flowering stem except that it lacks a petiole and is well above ground level. Up to four flowers 5–7mm (0.2–0.3in) long and 6–8mm (0.2–0.3in) wide are borne on a brittle, fleshy flowering stem 50–150mm (2–6in) high. The flowers are green with red blotches. The dorsalsepal is 6.5–8mm (0.26–0.31in) long, about 4mm (0.2in) wide and forms a hood over the column. The lateral sepals are a similar length to the dorsal sepal but only half as wide. The petals are about 2.5mm (0.1in) long, 1mm (0.04in) wide and spread apart from each other. The labellum is a broad egg shape, 5–6mm (0.20–0.24in) long and wide, folded lengthwise with the tip turned downwards. Flowering occurs from November to January.[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.165. ISBN1877069124.
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