Eulophia speciosa

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Eulophia speciosa
Eulophia speciosa 1DS-II 2-6125.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Eulophia
Species:
E. speciosa
Binomial name
Eulophia speciosa
Synonyms

See text

Eulophia speciosa is a species of terrestrial orchid found from Ethiopia to South Africa and in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The plants usually grow in grasslands in sandy soils or in clay. [1]

Contents

Description

The fleshy, lanceolate leaves arise from underground corms/pseudobulbs. [1] The leafless flowering shoot is about 0.4-0.8 m (up to 1.2m [2] ) tall, with up to 30 comparatively large flowers in an unbranched raceme. [1] The flowers measure about 25–45 mm in diameter, and are yellow with red markings on the lip of the side lobes. [1]

Conservation and uses

This species is common in most parts of its distribution range in southern Africa, [1] however it does make a good garden plant [2] and is vulnerable to collectors. In South Africa, all orchids are protected by law and the plants must not be removed from the wild without a permit; only nursery-grown plants can be cultivated legally. [1] These plants are used in African tradition as an emetic and as a protective charm against storms. [2]

Synonyms

Lissochilus speciosus R.Br. ex Lindl. is the basionym. Other synonyms include:

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantefg/eulophspec.htm Archived 23 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine , retrieved 6 November 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 Pooley, E. (1998). A Field Guide to Wild Flowers; KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. ISBN   0-620-21500-3.