Corybas undulatus

Corybas undulatus, commonly known as tailed helmet orchid,[2] is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to eastern Australia. It has a single leaf and a single translucent grey flower with reddish markings, and a labellum with a bristly surface, fine teeth on the edge and a small tail on the tip.

Tailed helmet orchid
Corybas undulatus near Sussex Inlet
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Corybas
Species:
C. undulatus
Binomial name
Corybas undulatus
(R.Cunn.) Rupp[1]
Synonyms[1]

Description

Corybas undulatus is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with a single leaf 10–20 mm (0.4–0.8 in) long and 8–18 mm (0.3–0.7 in) wide. The leaf is greyish green on the upper surface and silvery green or reddish on the lower side. There is a single translucent grey flower with purplish red and white markings, 10–13 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long and 9–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) wide which leans backwards. The dorsal sepal is spatula-shaped to egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, 12–14 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long and 6–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. The lateral sepals are thread-like, about 3.5 mm (0.1 in) long and 0.5 mm (0.02 in) long and the petals are similar but shorter. The labellum is tube shaped at its base and for about half its length before opening into a broad heart-shaped dish 9–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long and wide. This part of the labellum has a whitish centre and is covered with tiny bristles. The edges of the labellum have tiny teeth and there is a small tail-like tip on the lower edge. Flowering occurs from May to July.[2][3]

Taxonomy

The tailed helmet orchid was first formally described in 1833 by Richard Cunningham, who gave it the name Corysanthes undulata and published the description in the New South Wales Magazine.[4] In 1942 Herman Rupp changed the name to Corybas undulatus.[5] The specific epithet (undulatus) is a Latin word meaning "wavy".[6]

Distribution and habitat

Corybas undulatus is an uncommon, often overlook species growing in grassy and heathy forest in coastal areas of Queensland south from Bundaberg to Jervis Bay in New South Wales.[2][3]

gollark: ↑
gollark: Yes.
gollark: Superglobals can be accessed from any potatOS computer.
gollark: No, MORE GLOBAL than that.
gollark: Oh, it's like potatoplex!

References
  1. "Corybas undulatus". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  2. Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 169. ISBN 1877069124.
  3. Jones, David L. "Corybas undulatus". Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  4. "Corysanthes undulatus". APNI. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  5. "Corybas undulatus". APNI. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  6. Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 826.
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