Sarcochilus parviflorus

Sarcochilus parviflorus, commonly known as the southern lawyer orchid[2] or green tree orchid,[3] is an epiphytic orchid endemic to eastern Australia. It has up to eight rigid leaves and up to twelve small bright green to yellowish green flowers with reddish markings on the labellum.

Southern lawyer orchid
Flowering at Mt. Boss State Forest
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Sarcochilus
Species:
S. parviflorus
Binomial name
Sarcochilus parviflorus
Synonyms[1]
  • Thrixspermum parviflorum (Lindl.) Rchb.f.
  • Sarcochilus olivaceus Lindl.
  • Thrixspermum olivaceum (Lindl.) Rchb.f.

Description

Sarcochilus parviflorus is an epiphytic, rarely lithophytic orchid with sparsely branched stems 30–80 mm (1–3 in) long with between two and eight leaves. The leaves are dark green, rigid, egg-shaped to narrow oblong, 80–150 mm (3–6 in) long and 30–40 mm (1–2 in) long wide. The flowering stems are 90–140 mm (4–6 in) long and bear between two and twelve bright green to yellowish green flowers 18–22 mm (0.7–0.9 in) long and 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) wide. The sepal are 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide whilst the petals are narrower. The labellum is 6–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long, 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) wide and greenish cream with reddish markings. The labellum has three lobes, the side lobes curving upwards near their tips and the middle lobe with a short tooth on its midline. Flowering occurs between June and January.[2][3]

Taxonomy and naming

Sarcochilus parviflorus was first formally described in 1838 by John Lindley and the description was published in Edwards's Botanical Register.[4][5] The specific epithet (parviflorus) is derived from the Latin words parvus meaning "little"[6]:489 and flos meaning "flower".[6]:45

Distribution and habitat

The southern lawyer orchid grows on trees, rarely on rocks, in rainforest in coastal areas and nearby tablelands between Brisbane and Tathra.[2][3]

References
  1. "Sarcochilus parviflorus". 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. 451. ISBN 1877069124.
  3. "Sarcochilus parviflorus". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  4. "Sarcochilus parviflorus". APNI. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  5. Lindley, John (1838). "Miscellaneous notices". Edwards's Botanical Register. 24: 34–35. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  6. Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
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