Zeuxine polygonoides
| Zeuxine polygonoides | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Cranichideae |
| Subtribe: | Goodyerinae |
| Genus: | Zeuxine |
| Species: | Z. polygonoides |
| Binomial name | |
| Zeuxine polygonoides (F.Muell.) P.J.Cribb. | |
Zeuxine polygonoides is a species of terrestrial orchids, constituting part of the subfamily Orchidoideae. It is found in New Guinea, New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands and in north-east Queensland, Australia.
Description
The orchid grows to 150–300 mm in height. The 50–100 mm stem bears 3–5 leaves at the apex and 2–4 reduced leaves lower down. The upper leaf blades are 30–80 mm long and 12–22 mm wide, tapered to a point, and bronze green to dark velvet green in colour with a broad white stripe along the centre. The inflorescence is 80–150 mm long, bearing 5–14 loosely arranged flowers 5–6 mm wide. The three sepals are green, the two petals and the labellum are white. The uppermost sepal is fused with the petals, forming a horizontal hood; the lateral sepals are spreading. In Australia the orchid flowers mainly from June to August.[2]
Distribution and habitat
In Australia the orchid has been recorded from three tropical rainforest locations in north-east Queensland between the Paluma Range and the Daintree River, at altitudes of 450 to 600 m above sea level, growing on the forest floor. It occurs within the Wet Tropics of Queensland Natural Resource Management Region. Plants have been collected in notophyll vine forest, on the tops of granite boulders, flat rocks and the rotting wood of fallen trees.[2]
Status and conservation
Australia
The orchid is listed as vulnerable under both the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and Queensland’s Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006.[1][3] All known populations lie within protected areas. Potentially, the main threats to the orchid in Australia are illegal over-collection by orchid enthusiasts, and from feral pigs[2]
References
- 1 2 Zeuxine polygonoides, Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of the Environment and Heritage, Australia.
- 1 2 3 "Approved Conservation Advice for Zeuxine polygonoides" (PDF). Canberra: Australian Government. 16 Dec 2008.
- ↑ Queensland Government (27 Sep 2013). "Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006" (PDF). Nature Conservation Act 1992. Online, accessed from www.legislation.qld.gov.au. Australia. p. 57. Retrieved 30 Nov 2013.