| Aphyllorchis queenslandica | |
|---|---|
| Illustration by Lewis Roberts | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Tribe: | Cranichideae |
| Subtribe: | Spiranthinae |
| Genus: | Aphyllorchis Blume |
| Species: | A. queenslandica |
| Binomial name | |
| Aphyllorchis queenslandica Dockrill, A.W. (1965) Orchadian 1: 115. Type: Queensland, Helenvale, May 1962, C. Le Roy: Holo: QRS. |
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Aphyllorchis queenslandica, or Yellow Pauper Orchid, is a member of the Aphyllorchis genus, commonly Pauper Orchids, a genus of 30 species of terrestrial leafless orchids native to South Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia.
Contents |
Aphyllorchis queenslandica is a terrestrial orchid up to about 90 cm tall. It is native to Far North Queensland, Australia, and, possibly, Malaysia, under other names. It ranges from close to sea level up to about 400 m. The plants lack chlorophyll and live as saprophytes. Bracts or 'leaves' have 3 longitudinal and parallel veins.
The sepals are about 13 x 2.5 mm. and petals about 11 x 2 mm. The labellum is larger, and cream-coloured with purple upturned margins. The column, composed of the stamen fused to the style, has a purple base, but is yellow towards the top, and is about 7 x 1.5 mm. The ovary is about 12 x 2 mm, with 6 external longitudinal ribs. Fruit
The inflorescence is about 40-70 cm long, and usually has 6-12 flowers about 20 mm wide on pedicels about 2-3 mm long.[1]