Liparis reflexa

Liparis reflexa, commonly known as tom cats, onion orchid or dog orchid,[2] is a plant in the orchid family and is endemic to New South Wales. It is a lithophytic orchid with up to four leaves and up to thirty or more yellowish green flowers which smell like urine. It grows on rocks, sometimes on the ground, in moist forests.

Tom cats
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Subtribe: Malaxidinae
Genus: Liparis
Species:
L. reflexa
Binomial name
Liparis reflexa
Synonyms[1]

Description

Liparis reflexa is a lithophytic, rarely a terrestrial herb with more or less oval pseudobulbs 20–40 mm (0.8–2 in) and 15–30 mm (0.6–1 in) wide. There are up to four linear to lance-shaped, dark to yellowish green leaves, 100–300 mm (4–10 in), 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide and folded lengthwise. Between five and thirty or more yellowish green flowers, 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) long and 8–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide are borne on a flowering stem 100–300 mm (4–10 in) long. The flowers smell like urine or a wet dog. Each flower has a pedicel 6–16 mm (0.2–0.6 in) long, including the ovary. The sepals are 7–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long, about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide and the petals are a similar length but only about 1 mm (0.04 in) wide. The labellum is 7–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long, 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide and turns downward and backward on itself. Flowering occurs between February and June.[2][3][4][5][6]

Taxonomy and naming

Tom cats was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown who gave it the name Cymbidium reflexum and published the description in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.[7][8] In 1825, John Lindley changed the name to Liparis reflexa.[9] The specific epithet (reflexa) is a Latin word meaning "bent" or "turned back".[10]

Distribution and habitat

Liparis reflexa usually grows on rocks, including on escarpments and boulders in gorges and only rarely on trees. It is found between the Clyde River, Hastings River and Hunter River valleys.[2][4]

References
  1. "Liparis reflexa". 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. pp. 464–465. ISBN 1877069124.
  3. Harden, Gwen (ed.) (1993). Flora of New South Wales (Volume 4). Kensington, N.S.W.: New South Wales University Press. p. 227. ISBN 0868401889.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  4. Weston, Peter H. "Cestichis reflexa". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  5. Banks, David P. (2005). Flora's orchids : the definitive guide to orchids : over 1,500 entries. Ultimo, N.S.W.: ABC Books. p. 203. ISBN 073331547X.
  6. Barnard, Loretta (ed.) (2008). Native Plants : the definitive guide to Australian plants. Lane Cove: Global Book Publishing. p. 305. ISBN 9781740480277.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  7. "Cymbidium reflexum". APNI. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  8. Brown, Robert (1810). Prodromus florae Novae Hollandiae. London. p. 331. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  9. "Liparis reflexa". APNI. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  10. Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 139.
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