Dendrobium collinsii, commonly known as the McIlwraith burr orchid,[2] is an epiphytic orchid in the family Orchidaceae and is endemic to tropical North Queensland. It has a single fleshy, dark green leaf on a cylindrical stem and a small white flower that does not open widely. It grows on small trees on ridges on the eastern side of the ranges.
| McIlwraith burr orchid | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
| Genus: | Dendrobium |
| Species: | D. collinsii
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| Binomial name | |
| Dendrobium collinsii | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Description
editDendrobium collinsii is an epiphytic herb that usually forms small clumps. It has a cylindrical stem, 10–18 mm (0.4–0.7 in) long and about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide with a single fleshy, dark green leaf 15–30 mm (0.59–1.2 in) long and 7–10 mm (0.28–0.39 in) wide. There is a single white flower 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) wide with fleshy, hair-like tubercles on the ovary. The sepals are about 3 mm (0.12 in) long, 2.5 mm (0.098 in) wide and the petals are a similar length but much narrower. The labellum is about 4 mm (0.16 in) long and 2 mm (0.079 in) wide. Flowering occurs between December and April but the flower does not open widely, is short-lived and self-pollinated.[2][3][4]
Taxonomy and naming
editThe McIlwraith burr orchid was first formally described in 1981 by Peter Lavarack from a specimen collected near Rocky River on the Cape York Peninsula. It was given the name Cadetia collinsii and the description was published in the journal Austrobaileya.[5] In 2011, André Schuiteman and Peter Adams changed the name to Dendrobium collinsii, referring to studies of molecular phylogenetics.[6][7] The specific epithet (collinsii) honours "Rev. R. Collins of Atherton who encouraged the author in his early studies of Australian orchids".[4]
Distribution and habitat
editDendrobium collinsii grows on small trees on ridges, slopes and gorges on the eastern side of the McIlwraith, Janet and Iron Ranges.[2][3]
References
edit- ^ a b "Dendrobium collinsii". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- ^ a b c Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 380. ISBN 1877069124.
- ^ a b D.L.Jones; T.Hopley; S.M.Duffy (2010). "Factsheet - Cadetia collinsii". Australian Tropical Rainforest Orchids. Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
- ^ a b Lavarack, Peter S. (1981). "Notes on Queenlsand Orchidaceae, 2". Austrobaileya. 1 (4): 381–383.
- ^ "Cadetia collinsii". Retrieved 2 December 2018.
- ^ "Dendrobium collinsii". Retrieved 2 December 2018.
- ^ Schuiteman, André; Adams, Peter B. (2011). "New combinations in Dendrobium (Orchidaceae)". Muelleria. 29 (1): 62–68. doi:10.5962/p.292511. Retrieved 26 January 2024.