Microtis media subsp. densiflora

Microtis media subsp. densiflora, commonly known as the dense mignonette orchid,[2] is a species of orchid which is endemic to the south–west of Western Australia. It has a single smooth, tubular leaf and a flowering spike with up to one hundred and fifty small yellowish-green flowers. It differs from Microtis media subsp. media in the shape of its flower spike and the shape of its labellum.

Dense mignonette orchid
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Microtis
Species:
M. media
Subspecies:
M. m. subsp. densiflora
Trinomial name
Microtis media subsp. densiflora
(Benth.) R.J.Bates
Synonyms[1]
  • Microtis parviflora var. densiflora Benth.
  • Microtis densiflora (Benth.) M.A.Clem.

Description

Microtis media subsp. densiflora is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single erect, smooth, tubular leaf 250–600 mm (10–20 in) long and 3–8 mm (0.1–0.3 in) wide. Between twenty and one hundred and fifty small greenish-yellow flowers are crowded along an erect, fleshy flowering stem 200–500 mm (8–20 in) long. Each flower is 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long and 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) wide. The dorsal sepal is erect and about 3 mm (0.1 in) long, 2 mm (0.08 in) wide. The lateral sepals are about 2 mm (0.08 in) long, 1 mm (0.04 in) wide and curl downwards. The petals are about 2 mm (0.08 in) long, 1 mm (0.04 in) wide and face forwards. The labellum is thin, 2–3.5 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long, 1–1.5 mm (0.04–0.06 in) wide with irregular edges and a small callus. Flowering occurs from October to January.[2][3][4]

Taxonomy and naming

The dense mignonette orchid was first formally described in 1873 by George Bentham who gave it the name Microtis parviflora var. densiflora and published the description in Flora Australiensis.[5][6] In 1990 Robert Bates included it as a subspecies of Microtis media along with subspecies media and quadrata.[7] The last of these has since been raised to species status as M. quadrata by David Jones and Mark Clements.[8]

The epithet (densiflora) is derived from the Latin densus (thick, crowded, dense), and -florus (-flowered) referring to the dense flower spike.[9]

Distribution and habitat

The dense mignonette orchid is found between Perth and Albany where it grows seasonally in wet placed.[2][3][10]

Conservation

Microtis media subsp. densiflora is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.[10]

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References
  1. "Microtis media subsp. densiflora". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  2. Brown, Andrew; Dixon, Kingsley; French, Christopher; Brockman, Garry (2013). Field guide to the orchids of Western Australia : the definitive guide to the native orchids of Western Australia. Simon Nevill Publications. p. 288. ISBN 9780980348149.
  3. Hoffman, Noel; Brown, Andrew (2011). Orchids of South-West Australia (3rd ed.). Gooseberry Hill: Noel Hoffman. p. 340. ISBN 9780646562322.
  4. Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 223. ISBN 1877069124.
  5. "Microtis parviflora var. densiflora". APNI. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  6. Bentham, George (1876). Flora Australiensis (Volume 6). London: Lovell Reeve & Co. p. 348. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  7. Bates, Robert J. (1990). "Notes on the genus Microtis (Orchidaceae) in Western Australia with the description of two new taxa" (PDF). Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden. 13: 51–54. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  8. "Microtis media subsp. densiflora". APNI. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  9. Francis Aubie Sharr (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings. Kardinya, Western Australia: Four Gables Press. p. 354. ISBN 9780958034180.
  10. "Microtis media subsp. densiflora". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
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