Australian Tropical Rainforest Orchids
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Aphyllorchis queenslandica

Yellow Pauper Orchid

Aphyllorchis queenslandica Dockrill, Orchadian 1: 115, f. (1965). Type: Helenvale, North Queensland, May 1962, C. LeRoy s.n. (holo BRI not found).

Distribution

Occurs in north-eastern Queensland from Cooktown to Babinda.

Altitude: 0-250 m.

Description

Terrestrial leafless herb. Leaves absent. Inflorescence a terminal raceme, 300-700 mm long, purple with white flecks, slender, fleshy. Flowers 6-12, resupinate, porrect, 8-10 mm x 10-12 mm, dull yellow. Sepals and petals widely spreading. Dorsal sepal erect to incurved, oblong, 6-7 mm x 2 mm, apex acute. Lateral sepals free, widely divergent, lanceolate, falcate, 5-6 mm x 2 mm. Petals obliquely erect, falcate, 5-6 mm x 2 mm. Labellum more or less cymbiform, narrower at the base, 5-6 mm x 2 mm, 3-lobed; lateral lobes erect, entire; midlobe projecting forward, apical margins inrolled. Callus a narrow cordate basal depression. Column incurved, 6 mm long. Capsules pendulous, cylindrical, tapered at both ends, purple.

Ecology

Grows in lowland rainforests, in small groups in sheltered areas, often close to streams in sandy soils. The flowers are self-pollinating and are usually fertilised before opening.

Localised.

Flowering period: May-October.

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