Common gnat orchid
Cyrtostylis reniformis in Brisbane Ranges National Park, Victoria
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Cyrtostylis
Species:
C. reniformis
Binomial name
Cyrtostylis reniformis
Synonyms[1]
  • Acianthus reniformis (R.Br.) Schltr.
  • Acianthus reniformis (R.Br.) Schltr. var. reniformis
  • Caladenia reniformis (R.Br.) Rchb.f.
  • Cyrtostylis macrophylla Hook.f.
  • Cyrtostylis oblonga var. rotundifolia (Hook.f.) Cheeseman
  • Cyrtostylis reniformi G.N.Backh., R.J.Bates, A.P.Br. & L.M.Copel. orth. var.
  • Cyrtostylis reniformis R.Br. var. reniformis
  • Cyrtostylis rotundifolia Hook.f.

Cyrtostylis reniformis, commonly known as common gnat-orchid,[2] is a species of orchid endemic to eastern Australia. It usually has a single kidney-shaped leaf and a flowering spike with up to eight reddish flowers with a shelf-like labellum.

Description

Cyrtostylis reniformis is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with a single kidney-shaped, heart-shaped or almost round leaf 15–40 mm (0.6–2 in) long and 10–30 mm (0.4–1 in) wide. Up to eight dark reddish brown, or rarely yellowish flowers 11–14 mm (0.4–0.6 in) long are borne on a flowering stem 50–150 mm (2–6 in) high. The dorsal sepal is erect and curved forward, linear to lance-shaped, 11.5–13 mm (0.5–0.5 in) long and about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide. The lateral sepals are linear, 10–11 mm (0.4–0.4 in) long, about 1 mm (0.04 in) wide and curve forwards or downwards. The petals are similar in size and shape to the lateral sepals and curve downwards. The labellum is oblong, 10–12.5 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long and about 5 mm (0.20 in) wide and shelf-like with a few serrations near its pointed tip. Flowering occurs from May to October.[2][3]

Taxonomy and naming

Cyrtostylis reniformis was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown and the description was published in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.[4][5] The specific epithet (reniformis) means "kidney-shaped".[6]

Distribution and habitat

Common gnat-orchid is widespread and locally common in all Australian states and the Australian Capital Territory, except Western Australia.[2][3]

References

  1. 1 2 "Cyrtostylis reniformis". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  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. 164. ISBN 1877069124.
  3. 1 2 Weston, Peter H. "Cyrtostylis reniformis". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  4. ↑ "Cyrtostylis reniformis". APNI. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  5. ↑ Brown, Robert (1810). Prodromus florae Novae Hollandiae et insulae Van-Diemen, exhibens characteres plantarum quas annis 1802-1805. London. p. 322. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  6. ↑ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 293. ISBN 9780958034180.
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