Lyperanthus serratus

Lyperanthus serratus
L. serratus–"Rattle beaks" near Albany, Western Australia.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Subtribe: Megastylidinae
Genus: Lyperanthus
Species: L. serratus
Binomial name
Lyperanthus serratus
Lind. (1840)

Lyperanthus serratus, commonly called rattle beaks, is a species of orchid which is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It derives its name from the fact that the flowers rattle if gently shaken.

Description

L. serratus is a tuberous, perennial herb, 25–50 centimetres (9.8–19.7 in) high with 3 to 10 green, yellow and brown flowers, 3–5 cm wide, from September to October.[1][2] The flowers have white (non-secreting) glandular "hairs" on the labellum. It has a single leaf which is arched, ribbed, leathery and linear, about 35 centimetres (14 in) long and 1.5 centimetres (0.59 in) wide.[3][4] A powdery bloom covers the entire plant, except for the innermost parts of the flower. The single leaf is lance-shaped, 150–350 centimetres (59–138 in) long and 10–15 millimetres (0.39–0.59 in) wide, dark green with a paler lower surface.[5]

Taxonomy and naming

The species was first described by John Lindley in 1840 in his The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants. [6] The type specimen was collected by Drummond near the Swan River. Lindley noted "This has, when dried, so much the appearance of L. suaveolens, that I mistook it for that species. It is however a much stouter plant; and, as will be seen by the above character, the labellum is altogether different." The specific epithet (serratus) alludes to "The prominent white calli found on the labellum [which] are also distinctive and lead to the scientific name 'serratus' meaning prominent teeth."[6]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain and Warren biogeographical regions of Western Australia on sand, loam or sandy clay. It grows in a variety of habitats including forest, woodland and heath and often grows through reasonably low, dense vegetation.[7]

Uses

Horticulture

As with other Australian terrestrial orchids, Lyperanthus serratus is not well known in cultivation but success has been achieved with the closely related Lyperanthus suaveolens.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Lyperanthus serratus Lindl.". FloraBase. Department of Environment and Conservation, Government of Western Australia.
  2. ↑ Paczkowska, Grazyna; Chapman, Alex R. (2000). The Western Australian flora : a descriptive catalogue. Perth: Wildflower Society of Western Australia. p. 86. ISBN 0646402439.
  3. ↑ "Lyperanthus". Pacific bulb society. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  4. ↑ Fuhrer, Bruce A.; Corrick, Margaret G. (2009). Wildflowers of southern Western Australia (3rd ed. ed.). Kenthurst, N.S.W.: Rosenberg Pub. p. 146. ISBN 9781877058844.
  5. ↑ Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 279-280. ISBN 1877069124.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Lyperanthus serratus Lindl.". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  7. ↑ "Rattle Beaks - Lyperanthus serratus". Esperance wildflowers. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  8. ↑ Nesbitt, Les. "Australia's native orchids". Australian native plant society (Australia). Retrieved 12 March 2015.

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