Gastrodia crebriflora, commonly known as dense potato orchid,[2] is a leafless terrestrial mycotrophic orchid in the family Orchidaceae. It has a pale brown flowering stem and up to thirty-five crowded, drooping, white to pale brown flowers. It is only known from the Blackdown Tableland in Queensland, Australia.
| Dense potato orchid | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
| Tribe: | Gastrodieae |
| Genus: | Gastrodia |
| Species: | G. crebriflora
|
| Binomial name | |
| Gastrodia crebriflora | |
Description
editGastrodia crebriflora is a leafless terrestrial, mycotrophic herb that has a shiny, fleshy, pale brown flowering stem bearing ten and thirty-five flowers pale brown to white, drooping, tube-shaped flowers. The sepals and petals are joined, forming a tube about 12–14 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long with spreading tips. The tube has a warty base and is white inside. The labellum is about 10–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long, about 3.5 mm (0.1 in) wide and completely enclosed in the tube. Flowering occurs from September to October but the flowers are self-pollinating and short-lived.[2][3]
Taxonomy and naming
editGastrodia crebriflora was first formally described in 1991 by David Jones from a specimen collected on the Blackdown Tableland in 1988. The description was published in Australian Orchid Research.[4] The specific epithet (crebriflora) means "crowded - flowered".[5][3]
Distribution and habitat
editThe dense potato orchid grows in loose groups in tall forest on the Blackdown Tableland.[2][3]
Conservation
editThis orchid is classed as "vulnerable" under the Queensland Government Nature Conservation Act 1992.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Gastrodia crebriflora". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ 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. 370. ISBN 1877069124.
- ^ a b c Jones, David L. (1991). "New taxa of Australian Orchidaceae". Australian Orchid Research. 2: 62–63.
- ^ "Gastrodia crebriflora". APNI. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 172. ISBN 9780958034180.
- ^ "Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2010". Queensland Government. Retrieved 9 November 2018.