Biology:Microtis arenaria
| Microtis arenaria | |
|---|---|
| |
| In Mount Remarkable National Park | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Genus: | Microtis |
| Species: | M. arenaria
|
| Binomial name | |
| Microtis arenaria Lindl.[1]
| |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Microtis arenaria, commonly known as the notched onion orchid[2] or pale onion orchid,[3] is a species of orchid native to south-eastern Australia and New Zealand. It has a single hollow, onion-like leaf and up to sixty scented, crowded yellowish-green flowers. It is widespread and common, growing in a wide variety of habitats.
Description
Microtis arenaria is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single erect, smooth, tubular leaf 300–800 mm (10–30 in) long and 6–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. Between ten and sixty yellowish-green, fragrant flowers are crowded along a flowering stem 350–600 mm (10–20 in) tall. The flowers are 3–3.5 mm (0.12–0.14 in) long and 2–2.5 mm (0.08–0.1 in) wide. The dorsal sepal is egg-shaped, 2.5 mm (0.1 in) long and wide with its tip turned slightly upwards. The lateral sepals are 2.5 mm (0.1 in) long, about 1 mm (0.04 in) wide with their tips rolled under. The petals are lance-shaped but curved, about 2 mm (0.08 in) long, 1 mm (0.04 in) wide and are held under the dorsal sepal. The labellum curves downwards and is 2–2.5 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long, about 1.3 mm (0.05 in) wide with scalloped edges and a shallow notch at the tip between two prominent lobes. There is an irregularly-shaped callus in the centre of the labellum. Flowering occurs from September to January.[2][3][4]
Taxonomy and naming
Microtis arenaria was first formally described in 1840 by John Lindley and the description was published in The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants.[5][6] The specific epithet (arenaria) is a Latin word meaning "sandy".[7]
Distribution and habitat
The pale onion orchid is widespread and common in south-eastern New South Wales, throughout Victoria, Tasmania and south-eastern South Australia. It grows in a range of habitats from sandhills to rocky inland outcrops but is most common in coastal sand.[2][4][8] Microtis arenaria also occurs on the North Island of New Zealand.[9][10]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Microtis arenaria". Australian Plant Census. https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/73803.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. pp. 222–223. ISBN 1877069124.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Jones, David L. (2021). A Complete Guide to Native Orchids of Australia (3rd ed.). Sydney: Reed New Holland. pp. 394. ISBN 9781921517709.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Jeanes, Jeff. "Microtis arenaria". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/flora/taxon/213797e6-9de8-4c0b-bdf8-42280f581915.
- ↑ "Microtis arenaria". APNI. https://id.biodiversity.org.au/instance/apni/486096. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- ↑ Lindley, John (1840). The gnera and species of orchidaceous plants. London: Ridgways. p. 396. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/9889#page/408/mode/1up. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- ↑ Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 100.
- ↑ Jones, David L. (1998). "Contributions to Tasmanian orchidology". Australian Orchid Research 3: 11.
- ↑ "Microtis arenaria". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/microtis-arenaria/.
- ↑ "Microtis arenaria". New Zealand Native Orchids. https://www.nativeorchids.co.nz/orchids/microtis-arenaria/.
External links
Wikidata ☰ Q15475315 entry
 |  |
