Microtis rara

Microtis rara, commonly known as the scented onion orchid,[3] is a species of orchid endemic to Australia, with the exception of the Northern Territory. It has a single hollow, onion-like leaf and up to fifty small green or yellowish-green, scented flowers. It is similar to Microtis oblonga and some authorities regard the two as being one species.

Scented onion orchid
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Microtis
Species:
M. rara
Binomial name
Microtis rara
Synonyms[2]

Description

Microtis rara is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single erect, tapering, tubular leaf 200–500 mm (8–20 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. Between ten and fifty green or greenish-yellow flowers are well spaced along a flowering stem 30–160 mm (1–6 in) tall. The flowers sweetly scented, 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long and 2–2.5 mm (0.08–0.1 in) wide. The dorsal sepal is egg-shaped, 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long, 1.5–2 mm (0.06–0.08 in) wide with a dished lower surface. The lateral sepals are linear to oblong, 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long, about 1 mm (0.04 in) wide with their tips rolled under. The petals are a curved lance shape, 2–2.5 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long, about 1 mm (0.04 in) wide and spread widely apart. The labellum is more or less oblong, 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long, 1–1.5 mm (0.04–0.06 in) wide with notched edges and a narrowed middle section. There are dark green calli in the centre of the labellum. Flowering occurs from November to January and is stimulated by fire the previous summer.[3][4][5][6]

Taxonomy and naming

Microtis rara was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown and the description was published in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.[1][7] The specific epithet (rara) is a Latin word meaning "scarce", "scattered" or "dispersed".[8]

Some authorities regard Microtis oblonga as being a race of M. rara.[5][9]

Distribution and habitat

The scented onion orchid grows swamps and wet forests and is widespread but not common, occurring in all states but not the Northern Territory.[5][6]

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References
  1. "Microtis rara". APNI. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  2. "Microtis rara". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  3. Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 227. ISBN 1877069124.
  4. Bates, Robert J. (1984). "The genus Microtis R.Br. (Orchidaceae): A taxonomic revision with notes on biology" (PDF). Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. 7 (1): 77–80. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  5. Jeanes, Jeff. "Microtis rara". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  6. Rowe, Ross R. "Microtis rara". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  7. Brown, Robert (1810). Prodromus florae Novae Hollandiae. London. p. 321. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  8. Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 325.
  9. "Threatened species profile Microtis rara" (PDF). Government of South Australia Department for Environment and Heritage. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
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