Habenaria vatia

Habenaria vatia, commonly known as the curved rein orchid,[2] is a species of orchid that is endemic Queensland where it is only known from a small number of islands. It has between three and five leaves at its base and up to twenty five small white flowers with a relatively long green and white nectary spur.

Curved rein orchid
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Orchideae
Genus: Habenaria
Species:
H. vatia
Binomial name
Habenaria vatia
D.L.Jones ex M.T.Mathieson[1]

Description

Habenaria vatia is a tuberous, perennial herb with between three and five upright leaves, 60–100 mm (2–4 in) long and 10–18 mm (0.4–0.7 in) wide. Between fifteen and twenty five white flowers, 10–12 mm (0.39–0.47 in) long and 15–17 mm (0.59–0.67 in) wide are borne on a flowering stem 300–500 mm (10–20 in) tall. The dorsal sepal is about 4 mm (0.2 in) long, 3 mm (0.1 in) wide and with the petals, forms a hood over the column. The lateral sepals are about 5 mm (0.2 in) long, 2 mm (0.08 in) wide and spread apart from each other and the petals are a similar size to the sepals. The labellum is shaped like a trident and has three lobes about 8 mm (0.3 in) long and 1.5 mm (0.06 in) wide. The nectary spur is green with a white base, 12–14 mm (0.47–0.55 in) long and about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide. Flowering occurs from December to January.[2]

Taxonomy and naming

Habenaria vatia was first formally described in 2002 by David Jones but the name was not validly published.[3] In 2015, Michael Mathieson validated the name and description.[4][5] The specific epithet (vatia) is a Latin word meaning "bent outward" or "bowlegged".[6]

Distribution and habitat

The curved rein orchid grows with grasses and low shrubs in woodland on Moa Island and other Torres Strait Islands.[2][5]

Conservation

Habenaria vatia is listed as "vulnerable" under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992.[5]

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References
  1. "Habenaria vatia". 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. 344. ISBN 1877069124.
  3. "Habenaria vatia". APNI. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  4. "Habenaria vatia". APNI. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  5. Mathieson, Michael T. (2015). "Validating the name Habenaria vatia D.L.Jones ex M.T.Mathieson (Orchidaceae) for a threatened orchid species from Queensland" (PDF). Austrobaileya. 9 (3): 461. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  6. Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 140.
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