Chiloglottis trilabra

Long-clubbed wasp orchid
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Chiloglottis
Species:
C. trilabra
Binomial name
Chiloglottis trilabra
Synonyms[1]
  • Chiloglottis dockrillii Rupp

Chiloglottis trilabra, commonly known as the long-clubbed wasp orchid,[2] is a species of orchid endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has two dark green leaves and a single greenish brown or pinkish flower with a dark red to black, ant-like callus covering most of the upper surface of the labellum. It is similar to both C. seminuda and C. reflexa.

Description

Chiloglottis trilabra is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with two dark green, oblong to egg-shaped leaves 20–50 mm (0.8–2 in) long and 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide. A single greenish brown or pinkish flower 25–32 mm (0.98–1.3 in) long and 6–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide is borne on a flowering stem 50–100 mm (2–4 in) high. The dorsal sepal is spatula-shaped, 13–16 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long and 2.5–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. The lateral sepals are linear, 15–18 mm (0.6–0.7 in) long, less than 1 mm (0.04 in) wide and curve downwards. There is a glandular tip 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long on the dorsal sepal, dark red and 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long on the lateral sepals. The petals are oblong to lance-shaped, 9–11 mm (0.35–0.43 in) long, about 3 mm (0.1 in) wide and turned downwards towards the ovary. The labellum is more or less horizontal, diamond-shaped, 9–11 mm (0.35–0.43 in) long and 6–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide with a black, ant-like callus surrounded by many stalked and stalkless glands occupying most of its upper surface. The column has narrow wings. Flowering occurs from December to March.[2][3][4]

This wasp orchid is similar to C. seminuda which has a callus covering only about two-thirds of the labellum. It is also similar to C. reflexa but has longer lateral sepals and a smaller "head" on the ant-like callus.[4][5]

Taxonomy and naming

Chiloglottis trilabra was first formally described in 1883 by Robert D. FitzGerald and the description was published in Journal of Botany, British and Foreign from a specimen "obtained on Mount York in the Blue Mountains".[6][7] The specific epithet (trilabra) is derived from the Latin prefix tri- meaning "three"[8]: 813  and labra meaning "lip".[8]: 487  The type specimen happened to be an aberrant form having two extra labellums in place of two lateral sepals.[5][9]

Distribution and habitat

The long-clubbed wasp orchid is widespread in moist parts of forest, mainly on the ranges in New South Wales. In Victoria it is only known from a few areas in the east, but may be more widespread because it has been confused with C. seminuda and C. reflexa.[2][3][4]

References

  1. ^ a b "Chiloglottis trilabra". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  2. ^ 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. 141. ISBN 1877069124.
  3. ^ a b Jones, David L. "Chiloglottis trilabra". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  4. ^ a b c Jeanes, Jeff; Stajsic, Val. "Chiloglottis trilabra". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  5. ^ a b MacDonald, Margaret (7 March 2017). "Chiloglottis trilabra or Chiloglottis reflexa?". Anglesea, Aireys Inlet Society for the Protection of Flora and Fauna). Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  6. ^ "Chiloglottis trilabra". APNI. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  7. ^ Fitzgerald, Robert D. (1883). "New Australian orchids". Journal of Botany, British and Foreign. 21: 204. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  8. ^ a b Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
  9. ^ Bishop, Tony (2000). Field guide to the orchids of New South Wales and Victoria (2nd ed.). Sydney: UNSW Press. p. 120. ISBN 0868407062.