Australian Tropical Rainforest Orchids
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Taeniophyllum lobatum

Yellow Ribbonroot

Taeniophyllum lobatum Dockrill, Victorian Naturalist 73: 45, f. (1956). Type: North Queensland: Mount Spec, Nov. 1955, W.W. Abell s.n. (holo NSW).

Taeniophyllum flavum Dockrill, North Queensland Naturalist 28(125): 7-8, f. (1960). Type: North Queensland, Ravenshoe District, 6 Sep. 1953, K. Wadsworth, J.H. Wilkie, S.F. St. Cloud, T. Bentley and A.W. Dockrill s.n. (holo BRI).

Distribution

Occurs in north-eastern Queensland from the McIlwraith Range to Paluma.

Altitude: 400-1250 m.

Description

Leafless epiphytic or lithophytic herb forming small clumps. Roots numerous, adherent, 3-8 cm x 0.3-0.5 cm wide, pale green to grey-green, flattened. Stems 0.1 cm long. Leaves absent. Inflorescence an axillary raceme, 5-15 mm long, covered with white hairs; ovaries hairy. Flowers 2, resupinate, erect to porrect, 3 mm x 3 mm, pale yellow to bright yellow, opening one at a time. Sepals and petals free, widely spreading, externally hairy at base. Dorsal sepal 2.5 mm x 1 mm. Lateral sepals 2.5 mm x 1 mm. Petals 2 mm x 1.5 mm. Labellum cymbiform, 1.5-2.5 mm x 1.5 mm, 3-lobed; lateral lobes incurved and meeting; midlobe with small obtuse apical appendage; spur 1 mm long, cylindrical. Column 1 mm long. Capsules porrect, dehiscent.

Ecology

Occurs in rainforest trees growing on twigs.

Localised.

Flowering period: August-November.

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