Lyperanthus suaveolens

Lyperanthus suaveolens
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Subtribe: Megastylidinae
Genus: Lyperanthus
Species: L. suaveolens
Binomial name
Lyperanthus suaveolens
R.Br. (1810)

Lyperanthus suaveolens, commonly called brown beaks, is a species of orchid which is endemic to the eastern states of Australia.

Description

L. serratus is a tuberous, perennial herb, 18–44 centimetres (7.1–17.3 in) high with 2 to 8 yellowish brown, brown or dark reddish brown flowers, about 3 centimetres (1.2 in) wide, from August to November. The flowers are sometimes fragrant in warm weather. The single leaf is linear to sword-shaped, 12–26 centimetres (4.7–10.2 in) long and up to 1.2 centimetres (0.47 in) wide, leathery with a dark upper and pale lower surface.[1][2]

Taxonomy and naming

The species was first described by Robert Brown in 1810 in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae.[3] The specific epithet (suaveolens) is derived from the Latin suāveolens meaning "sweet-smelling" or "fragrant".

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in woodland areas of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

Uses

Horticulture

As with other Australian terrestrial orchids, this species is not well known in cultivation but success has been achieved by growing it in a shadehouse of 50-70% shadecloth.[4]

References

  1. Bernhardt, P. (1993). "Plantnet: New South Wales flora online". The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  2. "Lyperanthus suaveolens". Australian Native Plant Society (Australia). Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  3. "Lyperanthus suaveolens R.Br.". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  4. Nesbitt, Les. "Australia's native orchids". Australian native plants society (Australia). Retrieved 12 March 2015.

External links