Dipodium ensifolium

Dipodium ensifolium, commonly known as leafy hyacinth-orchid,[3] is an orchid species that is endemic to north-east Queensland. It has sword-shaped leaves and up to twenty pink to mauve flowers with purplish spots and blotches.

Leafy hyacinth orchid
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Dipodium
Species:
D. ensifolium
Binomial name
Dipodium ensifolium

Description

Dipodium ensifolium is a tuberous, perennial herb with from one to a few leafy stems 20–100 cm (8–40 in) long with overlapping sword-shaped leaves 120–200 mm (5–8 in) long and about 15 mm (0.6 in) wide. Flowering stems 300–550 mm (10–20 in) long develop in upper leaf axils, each with between two and twenty pink to mauve flowers with purplish spots and blotches, 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) wide. The sepals are 18–25 mm (0.7–1 in) long, about 6 mm (0.2 in) wide and the petals are slightly shorter and narrower. The sepals and petals are free from each other and spread widely apart. The labellum is pink to mauve and projects forwards, 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) long, 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) wide with a narrow central band of mauve hairs. Flowering occurs between October and February.[3][4]

Taxonomy and naming

Dipodium ensifolium was formally described in 1865 by Ferdinand von Mueller from a specimen collected on rocky mountains near Rockingham Bay.[2][5] The specific epithet (ensifolium) is derived from the Latin words ensis meaning "sword"[6]:776 and folium meaning "leaf".[6]:340

Distribution and habitat

The leafy hyacinth orchid grows in forest and woodland between Cooktown and Ingham. Plants develop long, lanky growths except when above ground parts are destroyed by fire, when they quickly produce new growth.[3][4]

Ecology

The flowers of this orchid are pollinated by small native bees.[4]

Use in horticulture

This orchid is easily grown in pots in warm climates and bright light.[3]

References
  1. "Dipodium ensifolium F.Muell". The Plant List version 1.1. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  2. "Dipodium ensifolium". APNI. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  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. 271. ISBN 1877069124.
  4. "Dipodium ensifolium". Lucid interactive keys - Australian Tropical Rainforest Orchids. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  5. von Mueller, Ferdinand (1865). Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae (Volume 5). p. 42. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  6. Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
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