Genoplesium systenum

Genoplesium superbum, commonly known as the Kangarooby midge orchid, is a small terrestrial orchid which is endemic to New South Wales. It has a single thin leaf and up to thirty two hairy, light reddish flowers which lean downwards and have a dark purple labellum.

Kangarooby midge orchid
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Genoplesium
Species:
G. systenum
Binomial name
Genoplesium systenum
Synonyms[1]

Description

Genoplesium systenum is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single thin leaf 120–300 mm (5–10 in) long with the free part 15–25 mm (0.6–1 in) long. Between twelve and thirty two light reddish flowers are arranged along a flowering stem 30–60 mm (1–2 in) long, reaching to a height of 150–360 mm (6–10 in). The flowers lean downwards and are about 6 mm (0.2 in) wide. As with others in the genus, the flowers are inverted so that the labellum is above the column rather than below it. The dorsal sepal is broadly egg-shaped, about 3.5 mm (0.1 in) long, 2.5 mm (0.1 in) wide and greenish with reddish-purple bands and hairy edges. The lateral sepals are linear to lance-shaped, about 5 mm (0.2 in) long, 1.5 mm (0.06 in) wide, light reddish green and spread widely apart from each other. The petals are narrow egg-shaped, about 3 mm (0.1 in) long, 1 mm (0.04 in) wide with hairy edges and a similar colour to the dorsal sepal. The labellum is narrow egg-shaped, dark purple, about 3.5 mm (0.1 in) long and 1.5 mm (0.06 in) wide with coarse, spreading hairs up to 1 mm (0.04 in) long on its edges. There is a dark purple callus in the centre of the labellum and covering about three-quarters of its surface. Flowering occurs from February to April.[2][3][4]

Taxonomy and naming

The Kangarooby midge orchid was first formally described in 1991 by David Jones and the description was published in Australian Orchid Research.[5] In 2002, Jones and Mark Clements changed the name to Corunastylis systena.[6] The specific epithet (systenum) derived from the Ancient Greek word systenos meaning "tapering to a point",[7] referring to the shape of the labellum of this orchid.[3] (Kangarooby is a locality near Forbes.)

Distribution and habitat

Genoplesium systenum grows below shrubs in forested ridges and slopes on the ranges near Cowra, including the Conimbla National Park and Weddin Mountains National Park.[2][3][4]

References
  1. "Genoplesium systenum". 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. 178. ISBN 1877069124.
  3. Jones, David L. (1991). "New taxa of Australian Orchidaceae". Australian Orchid Research. 2: 72–73.
  4. Jones, David L. "Genoplesium systenum". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  5. "Genoplesium systenum". APNI. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  6. "Corunastylis systena". APNI. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  7. Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 623.
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