Genoplesium systenum
| Kangarooby midge orchid | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Genus: | Genoplesium |
| Species: | G. systenum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Genoplesium systenum | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Corunastylis systena (D.L.Jones) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. | |
Genoplesium superbum, commonly known as the Kangarooby midge orchid, is a species of small terrestrial orchid that is endemic to New South Wales. It has a single thin leaf and up to thirty two hairy, light reddish flowers which lean downwards and have a dark purple labellum.
Description[edit]
Genoplesium systenum is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single thin leaf 120–300 mm (5–10 in) long with the free part 15–25 mm (0.6–1 in) long. Between twelve and thirty two light reddish flowers are arranged along a flowering stem 30–60 mm (1–2 in) long, reaching to a height of 150–360 mm (6–10 in). The flowers lean downwards and are about 6 mm (0.2 in) wide. As with others in the genus, the flowers are inverted so that the labellum is above the column rather than below it. The dorsal sepal is broadly egg-shaped, about 3.5 mm (0.1 in) long, 2.5 mm (0.1 in) wide and greenish with reddish-purple bands and hairy edges. The lateral sepals are linear to lance-shaped, about 5 mm (0.2 in) long, 1.5 mm (0.06 in) wide, light reddish green and spread widely apart from each other. The petals are narrow egg-shaped, about 3 mm (0.1 in) long, 1 mm (0.04 in) wide with hairy edges and a similar colour to the dorsal sepal. The labellum is narrow egg-shaped, dark purple, about 3.5 mm (0.1 in) long and 1.5 mm (0.06 in) wide with coarse, spreading hairs up to 1 mm (0.04 in) long on its edges. There is a dark purple callus in the centre of the labellum and covering about three-quarters of its surface. Flowering occurs from February to April.[2][3][4]
Taxonomy and naming[edit]
The Kangarooby midge orchid was first formally described in 1991 by David Jones and the description was published in Australian Orchid Research.[5] In 2002, Jones and Mark Clements changed the name to Corunastylis systena but that name is not accepted by the Australian Plant Census.[1][6] The specific epithet (systenum) derived from the Ancient Greek word systenos meaning "tapering to a point",[7] referring to the shape of the labellum of this orchid.[3] (Kangarooby is a locality near Forbes.)
Distribution and habitat[edit]
Genoplesium systenum grows below shrubs in forested ridges and slopes on the ranges near Cowra, including the Conimbla National Park and Weddin Mountains National Park.[2][3][4]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "Genoplesium systenum". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
- ^ a b Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 178. ISBN 1877069124.
- ^ a b c Jones, David L. (1991). "New taxa of Australian Orchidaceae". Australian Orchid Research. 2: 72–73.
- ^ a b Jones, David L. "Genoplesium systenum". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
- ^ "Genoplesium systenum". APNI. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
- ^ "Corunastylis systena". APNI. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
- ^ Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 623.