Pineapple orchid
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Bulbophyllum
Species:
B. elisae
Binomial name
Bulbophyllum elisae
Synonyms[1]

Bulbophyllum elisae, commonly known as the pineapple orchid, [2] is a species of epiphytic or lithophytic orchid that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has crowded, wrinkled, pale green or yellowish clump-forming pseudobulbs, stiff, pale green to yellowish leaves and between three and twelve pale green to dark green flowers with a dark red to purple labellum. It usually grows in the tops of rainforest trees, on cliff faces or boulders.

Description

Bulbophyllum elisae is an epiphytic or lithophytic herb with crowded, wrinkled and grooved, pale green or yellowish pseudobulbs 10–30 mm (0.4–1 in) long and 15–20 mm (0.59–0.79 in) wide. The leaves are narrow oblong to lance-shaped, thin, leathery, flat, 60–100 mm (2–4 in) long and 8–12 mm (0.31–0.47 in) wide. Between three and twelve pale green to dark green flowers 15–20 mm (0.59–0.79 in) long and 10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in) wide are arranged on one side of a thin flowering stem 150–250 mm (5.9–9.8 in) long. The dorsal sepal is egg-shaped, 6–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and about 3 mm (0.12 in) wide, but the lateral sepals are much longer at 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) wide. The petals are about 3 mm (0.12 in) long and 2 mm (0.079 in) wide. The labellum is purple, fleshy, about 4 mm (0.16 in) long and 2 mm (0.079 in) wide. Flowering occurs between May and November.[2][3]

Taxonomy and naming

The pineapple orchid was first formally described in 1868 by Ferdinand von Mueller who gave it the name Cirrhopetalum elisae and published the description in the Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae from a specimen collected near Tenterfield.[4][5] In 1873, George Bentham changed the name to Bulbophyllum elisae.[6] The specific epithet (elisae) honours Eliza Kern.[5][7]

Distribution and habitat

Bulbophyllum elisae grows on the highest branches of rainforest trees, sometimes on cliff faces and boulders. It occurs between the Bunya Mountains in Queensland and the Blue Mountains in New South Wales.[2][3]

References

  1. 1 2 "Bulbophyllum elisae". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  2. 1 2 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. 421. ISBN 1877069124.
  3. 1 2 Weston, Peter H. "Bulbophyllum elisae". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  4. ↑ "Cirrhopetalum elisae". APNI. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  5. 1 2 von Mueller, Ferdinand (1868). Fragmenta phytographiae Australia. Vol. 6. Melbourne: Victorian Government Printer. p. 120. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  6. ↑ "Bulbophyllum elisae". APNI. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  7. ↑ Bailey, Frederick Manson (1886). A Synopsis of the Queensland Flora: First Supplement. Brisbane: Government Printer. p. 56. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
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