Eulophia speciosa
| Eulophia speciosa | |
|---|---|
_-_Bot._Reg._7_pl.573_(1821).jpg) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
| Tribe: | Cymbidieae |
| Subtribe: | Cyrtopodiinae |
| Alliance: | Eulophia |
| Genus: | Eulophia |
| Species: | E. speciosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Eulophia speciosa (R.Br. ex Lindl.) Bolus | |
| Synonyms | |
|
See text. | |
Eulophia speciosa is a species of terrestrial orchid found from Ethiopia to South Africa and in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The plants usually grow in grasslands in sandy soils or in clay.[1]
Description
The fleshy, lanceolate leaves arise from underground corms/pseudobulbs.[1] The leafless flowering shoot is about 0.4-0.8 m (up to 1.2m[2]) tall, with up to 30 comparatively large flowers in an unbranched raceme.[1] The flowers measure about 25-45 mm in diameter, and are yellow with red markings on the lip of the side lobes.[1]
Conservation and uses
This species is common in most parts of its distribution range in southern Africa,[1] however it does make a good garden plant[2] and is vulnerable to collectors. In South Africa, all orchids are protected by law and the plants must not be removed from the wild without a permit; only nursery-grown plants can be cultivated legally.[1] These plants are used in African tradition as an emetic and as a protective charm against storms.[2]
Gallery
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Eulopia speciosa from Amanzimtoti, South Africa
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Close-up of a flower
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'Fruit' of Eulophia speciosa
Synonyms
Lissochilus speciosus R.Br. ex Lindl. is the basionym. Other synonyms include:
- Cymbidium giganteum (L.f.) Sw.
- Cyrtopera gigantea (L.f.) Lindl.
- Epidendrum giganteum (L.f.) Poir
- Eulophia austrooccidentalis Sölch
- Eulophia brevisepala (Rendle) Summerh.
- Eulophia caloptera (Rchb.f.) Summerh.
- Eulophia coutreziana Geerinck
- Eulophia dispersa N.E.Br.
- Eulophia granitica (Rchb.f.) Cufod.
- Eulophia homblei (De Wild.) Butzin
- Eulophia leucantha (Kraenzl.) Sölch
- Eulophia sapinii De Wild.
- Eulophia speciosa var. culveri Schltr.
- Eulophia volkensii (Rolfe) Butzin
- Eulophia wakefieldii (Rchb.f. & S.Moore) Summerh.
- Limodorum giganteum (L.f.) Thunb.
- Lissochilus brevisepalus Rendle
- Lissochilus calopterus Rchb.f.
- Lissochilus dispersus (N.E.Br.) Rolfe
- Lissochilus graniticus Rchb.f.
- Lissochilus hereroensis Kraenzl.
- Lissochilus homblei De Wild.
- Lissochilus leucanthus Kraenzl.
- Lissochilus rendlei Rolfe
- Lissochilus sapinii De Wild.
- Lissochilus speciosus var. culveri (Schltr.) Rolfe
- Lissochilus volkensii Rolfe
- Lissochilus wakefieldii Rchb.f. & S.Moore
- Satyrium giganteum L.f.
References
External links
- Dressler, S.; Schmidt, M. & Zizka, G. (2014). [http://www.africanplants.senckenberg.de/root/index.php?submitForm=true&page_id=77&searchTextMenue=Eulophia+speciosa&filterRegionIDs[]=6&filterRegionIDs[]=1&filterRegionIDs[]=2&filterRegionIDs[]=3&filterRegionIDs[]=5 "Eulophia speciosa"]. African plants – a Photo Guide. Frankfurt/Main: Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg.