Australian Tropical Rainforest Orchids
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Dockrillia linguiformis

Thumbnail Orchid, Tick Orchid

Dockrillia linguiformis (Sw.) Brieger, Schlechter Die Orchideen 3(1): 745 (1981).

Dendrobium linguiforme Sw., Kongl. Svenska Vetenskapsakad. Handl. 21: 247 (1800); Callista linguiformis (Sw.) Kuntze, Revis. gen. pl. 2: 655 (1891). Type: Port Jackson, New South Wales, J. White s.n. (holo SUNIV; iso LINN, W).

Dendrobium linguiforme var. huntianum Rupp, Austral. Orchid Rev. 7: 40 (1942). Type: Upper Brisbane River, June, T.E. Hunt s.n. (holo NSW).

Distribution

Occurs in Queensland from Atherton Tableland to Townsville, and further south from Gympie to near Bega in New South Wales.

Altitude: 5-1100 m.

Also occurs in New Caledonia.

Description

Epiphytic or lithophytic herb forming spreading mats. Stems creeping, appressed to host, much-branched, 0.3-0.4 cm thick, becoming yellowish, tough. Leaf terminal on stem, prostrate, sessile; lamina oblong to obovate, 2-4 cm x 1.2-1.5 cm, dark green, thick, fleshy, smooth, upper surface longitudinally furrowed, apex obtuse. Inflorescence an axillary raceme, erect, 60-150 mm long, from node near leaf base; pedicels 10 mm long, filiform. Flowers 6-20, non-resupinate, porrect to nodding, star-shaped, 7-9 mm x 8-13 mm, white with yellow callus. Sepals and petals not spreading widely, narrowly triangular, thin-textured. Dorsal sepal obliquely erect, 18-22 mm x 3-4 mm, apex acuminate. Lateral sepals divergent, falcate, 18-22 mm x 4-5 mm, bases fused to column foot, apex acuminate. Petals obliquely erect, 16-20 mm x 2 mm, apex acuminate. Labellum curved, 5-6 mm x 4 mm, apex often curled, 3-lobed; lateral lobes small, obtuse; midlobe margins undulate, apex acuminate; upper surface with 3 undulate ridges. Column 2-3 mm long. Column foot 3-4 mm long, curved. Capsules porrect to pendulous, dehiscent.

Ecology

Occurs in rainforests, gullies, open forests and woodlands where it grows on trees, rocks and cliffs. A tough plant, it can survive in extremely exposed situations such as west-facing rocks and withstand drier conditions. The flowers are fragrant and pollinated by small native bees.

Widespread and common.

Flowering period: June-September.

Name Changes

Until recently known as Dendrobium linguiforme.

More about Dockrillia