Microtis arenaria
In Mount Remarkable National Park
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Microtis
Species:
M. arenaria
Binomial name
Microtis arenaria
Synonyms[1]

Microtis arenaria, commonly known as the notched onion orchid[2] or pale onion orchid,[3] is a species of orchid native to south-eastern Australia and New Zealand. It has a single hollow, onion-like leaf and up to sixty scented, crowded yellowish-green flowers. It is widespread and common, growing in a wide variety of habitats.

Description

Microtis arenaria is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single erect, smooth, tubular leaf 300–800 mm (10–30 in) long and 6–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. Between ten and sixty yellowish-green, fragrant flowers are crowded along a flowering stem 350–600 mm (10–20 in) tall. The flowers are 3–3.5 mm (0.12–0.14 in) long and 2–2.5 mm (0.08–0.1 in) wide. The dorsal sepal is egg-shaped, 2.5 mm (0.1 in) long and wide with its tip turned slightly upwards. The lateral sepals are 2.5 mm (0.1 in) long, about 1 mm (0.04 in) wide with their tips rolled under. The petals are lance-shaped but curved, about 2 mm (0.08 in) long, 1 mm (0.04 in) wide and are held under the dorsal sepal. The labellum curves downwards and is 2–2.5 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long, about 1.3 mm (0.05 in) wide with scalloped edges and a shallow notch at the tip between two prominent lobes. There is an irregularly-shaped callus in the centre of the labellum. Flowering occurs from September to January.[2][3][4]

Taxonomy and naming

Microtis arenaria was first formally described in 1840 by John Lindley and the description was published in The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants.[5][6] The specific epithet (arenaria) is a Latin word meaning "sandy".[7]

Distribution and habitat

The pale onion orchid is widespread and common in south-eastern New South Wales, throughout Victoria, Tasmania and south-eastern South Australia. It grows in a range of habitats from sandhills to rocky inland outcrops but is most common in coastal sand.[2][4][8] Microtis arenaria also occurs on the North Island of New Zealand.[9][10]

References

  1. 1 2 "Microtis arenaria". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 11 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. pp. 222–223. ISBN 1877069124.
  3. 1 2 Jones, David L. (2021). A Complete Guide to Native Orchids of Australia (3rd ed.). Sydney: Reed New Holland. p. 394. ISBN 9781921517709.
  4. 1 2 Jeanes, Jeff. "Microtis arenaria". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  5. ↑ "Microtis arenaria". APNI. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  6. ↑ Lindley, John (1840). The gnera and species of orchidaceous plants. London: Ridgways. p. 396. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  7. ↑ Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 100.
  8. ↑ Jones, David L. (1998). "Contributions to Tasmanian orchidology". Australian Orchid Research. 3: 11.
  9. ↑ "Microtis arenaria". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  10. ↑ "Microtis arenaria". New Zealand Native Orchids. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
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