Eulophia speciosa

Eulophia speciosa
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]

Synonyms

Lissochilus speciosus R.Br. ex Lindl. is the basionym. Other synonyms include:

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantefg/eulophspec.htm, retrieved 6 November 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 Pooley, E. (1998). A Field Guide to Wild Flowers; KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. ISBN 0-620-21500-3.
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