Marbled jewel orchid
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Cranichideae
Genus: Anoectochilus
Species:
A. yatesiae
Binomial name
Anoectochilus yatesiae

Anoectochilus yatesiae, commonly known as the marbled jewel orchid,[2] is a species of orchid that is endemic to northern Queensland. It has up to six dark green leaves with a network of silvery veins and up to four hairy brownish and white flowers.

Description

Anoectochilus yatesiae is a tuberous, perennial herb with up to six leaves forming a rosette on the end of its fleshy rhizome. The leaves are dark green, broadly egg-shaped to heart-shaped with a network of silvery veins, 30–60 mm (1–2 in) long and 30–40 mm (1–2 in) wide. Up to four brownish flowers 14–18 mm (0.6–0.7 in) long and 18–22 mm (0.7–0.9 in) wide are borne on a flowering stem 150–250 mm (6–10 in) tall. The dorsal sepal is 10–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long, 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) wide and with the petals, forms a hood over the column. The lateral sepals are a similar length to the dorsal sepal but narrower and spread apart from each other. The petals are white, glabrous, 8–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide. The labellum is upright, white, 12–15 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long, 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) wide and has about twelve crooked white hairs 4–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long on the narrow section. The nectary spur is about 5 mm (0.2 in) long. Flowering occurs from July to September.[2][3]

Taxonomy and naming

Anoectochilus yatesiae was first formally described in 1907 by Frederick Manson Bailey from specimens collected near Kuranda and the description was published in the Queensland Agricultural Journal.[4] The specific epithet (yatesiae) honours "Mrs. Arthur Yates", one of the collectors of the type specimen.[4]

Distribution and habitat

The marbled jewel orchid grows in highland rainforest between the Bloomfield River and Paluma Range National Park.[2][3]

References

  1. ↑ "Anoectochilus yatesiae". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 346. ISBN 1877069124.
  3. 1 2 "Anoectochilus yatesiae". Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  4. 1 2 "Anoectochilus yatesiae". APNI. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
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