Dipodium ensifolium, commonly known as leafy hyacinth-orchid,[3] is an orchid species that is endemic to north-east Queensland. It has sword-shaped leaves and up to twenty pink to mauve flowers with purplish spots and blotches.
| Leafy hyacinth orchid | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
| Genus: | Dipodium |
| Species: | D. ensifolium
|
| Binomial name | |
| Dipodium ensifolium | |
Description edit
Dipodium ensifolium is a tuberous, perennial herb with from one to a few leafy stems 20–100 cm (8–40 in) long with overlapping sword-shaped leaves 120–200 mm (5–8 in) long and about 15 mm (0.6 in) wide. Flowering stems 300–550 mm (10–20 in) long develop in upper leaf axils, each with between two and twenty pink to mauve flowers with purplish spots and blotches, 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) wide. The sepals are 18–25 mm (0.7–1 in) long, about 6 mm (0.2 in) wide and the petals are slightly shorter and narrower. The sepals and petals are free from each other and spread widely apart. The labellum is pink to mauve and projects forwards, 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) long, 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) wide with a narrow central band of mauve hairs. Flowering occurs between October and February.[3][4]
Taxonomy and naming edit
Dipodium ensifolium was formally described in 1865 by Ferdinand von Mueller from a specimen collected on rocky mountains near Rockingham Bay.[2][5] The specific epithet (ensifolium) is derived from the Latin words ensis meaning "sword"[6]: 776 and folium meaning "leaf".[6]: 340
Distribution and habitat edit
The leafy hyacinth orchid grows in forest and woodland between Cooktown and Ingham. Plants develop long, lanky growths except when above ground parts are destroyed by fire, when they quickly produce new growth.[3][4]
Ecology edit
The flowers of this orchid are pollinated by small native bees.[4]
Use in horticulture edit
This orchid is easily grown in pots in warm climates and bright light.[3]
References edit
- ^ "Dipodium ensifolium F.Muell". The Plant List version 1.1. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
- ^ a b "Dipodium ensifolium". APNI. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
- ^ a b c d Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 271. ISBN 1877069124.
- ^ a b c D.L.Jones; T.Hopley; S.M.Duffy (2010). "Factsheet - Dipodium ensifolium". Australian Tropical Rainforest Orchids. Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ von Mueller, Ferdinand (1865). Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae (Volume 5). p. 42. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
- ^ a b Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.