Calochilus ammobius
| Sand beard orchid | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| (unranked): | |
| (unranked): | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | C. ammobius
|
| Binomial name | |
| Calochilus ammobius | |
Calochilus ammobius, commonly known as the sand beard orchid,[2] is a species of orchid endemic to Queensland. It has a single leaf which is not present during flowering and up to three dull green flowers with reddish brown streaks and a labellum with a purple "beard".
Description
Calochilus ammobius is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single leaf 70–140 mm (3–6 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide but which is not present during flowering. Up to three short-lived dull green flowers with reddish brown streaks, 11–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long and 8–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide are borne on a thin, wiry flowering stem 70–140 mm (3–6 in) tall. The dorsal sepal is 6–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and about 4 mm (0.2 in) wide. The lateral sepals are a similar length but narrower. The petals are about 5 mm (0.20 in) long and 1.5 mm (0.06 in) wide. The labellum is flat, pale green and red, about 9 mm (0.4 in) long and 4 mm (0.2 in) wide. There are purplish hairs covering about three quarters of the labellum. The column has two purple sham "eyes". Flowering occurs from December to February but each flower only lasts a few hours.[2]
Taxonomy and naming
Calochilus ammobius was first formally described in 2002 by David Jones and Bruce Gray and the description was published in The Orchadian from specimens collected near Chewko.[3] The specific epithet (ammobius) is derived from the Ancient Greek words ammos meaning "sand"[4]: 678 and bios meaning "life".[4]: 145
Distribution and habitat
The sand beard orchid grows in low forest with Melaleuca viridiflora, shrubs and grass tussocks in a small area near the type location.[2]
References
- ^ "Calochilus ammobius". 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. 263. ISBN 1877069124.
- ^ "Calochilus ammobius". APNI. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ a b Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.