Habenaria ferdinandi, commonly known as the yellow rein orchid,[2] is a species of orchid that is endemic to the Northern Territory. It usually has two leaves at its base and up to fifteen tiny yellowish green, strongly scented flowers.
| Yellow rein orchid | |
|---|---|
| |
| On Elcho Island | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Genus: | Habenaria |
| Species: | H. ferdinandi
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| Binomial name | |
| Habenaria ferdinandi | |
| Synonyms | |
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Description
editHabenaria ferdinandi is a tuberous, perennial herb usually with two upright, dark green leaves at its base, the leaves 20–60 mm (0.8–2 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. Between seven and fifteen yellowish green, strongly scented flowers, 8–9.5 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) wide are borne on a flowering stem 200–500 mm (8–20 in) tall. The dorsal sepal is about 3 mm (0.12 in) long and 2 mm (0.08 in) wide, overlapping with the base of the petals to form a hood over the column. The lateral sepals are 4 mm (0.16 in) long, 2 mm (0.08 in) wide and spread widely apart close to horizontally. The petals are about 2 mm (0.08 in) long and 1.5 mm (0.06 in) wide. The labellum is about 3 mm (0.1 in) long, 6 mm (0.2 in) wide and has three lobes. The side lobes are thread-like, about 4.5 mm (0.2 in) long with erect tips and are held at about 90° to the middle lobe which turns downwards and is about 3.5 mm (0.1 in) long. The nectary spur is about 5 mm (0.2 in) long and held parallel to the ovary. Flowering occurs from December to March.[2]
Taxonomy and naming
editHabenaria ferdinandi was first formally described in 1911 by Rudolf Schlechter, although he initially gave it the name Habenaria muelleriana, an illegitimate name because it had been used for a different species by Alfred Cogniaux.[3] The original[4] and the correction[5] were published in Repertorium Specierum Novarum Regni Vegetabilis.[6] The specific epithet (ferdinandi) honours the botanist Ferdinand von Mueller.[7]
Distribution and habitat
editThe yellow rein orchid is found in northern parts of the Northern Territory where it grows in grassy forest and at the base of sandstone escarpments.[2][8]
References
edit- ^ "Habenaria ferdinandi". 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. 342. ISBN 1877069124.
- ^ "Habenaria muelleriana Schltr". APNI. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ^ Schlechter, Rudolf (1911). "Orchidaceae novae et criticae". Repertorium Specierum Novarum Regni Vegetabilis. 9: 435–436. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ^ Schlechter, Rudolf (1911). "Orchidaceae novae et criticae" (PDF). Repertorium Specierum Novarum Regni Vegetabilis. 10: 249. doi:10.1002/fedr.19110091604. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ^ "Habenaria ferdinandi". APNI. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ^ "Australian Orchids & the Doctors they Commemorate". Native Orchid Society of South Australia. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ^ "Habenaria ferdinandi". Northern Territory Flora Online. Retrieved 23 August 2018.