Bulbophyllum argyropus explained

Bulbophyllum argyropus, commonly known as the silver strand orchid,[1] is a species of epiphytic or sometimes lithophytic orchid that is endemic to eastern Australia, including Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands. It has crowded pseudobulbs, tough, dark green leaves and up to four small whitish to yellowish flowers with an orange labellum.

Description

Bulbophyllum argyropus is an epiphytic, rarely an lithophytic herb with crowded, warty and furrowed pseudobulbs NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide. Young pseudobulbs are covered with papery white bracts. There is a single tough, dark green leaf, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide on each pseudobulb. Up to five whitish or yellowish flowers NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and about 4sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide are arranged on a warty, thread-like flowering stem NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long. The sepals are about 4sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and 1sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide, the lateral sepals are NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long, the petals about 1sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and wide. The labellum is orange, about 3sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and 2sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide curved and fleshy. Flowering occurs between August and December.[2] [3] [4]

Taxonomy and naming

The silver strand orchid was first formally described in 1833 by Stephan Endlicher who gave it the name Thelychiton argyropus and published the description in Prodromus Florae Norfolkicae.[5] [6] In 1876, Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach changed the name to Bulbophyllum argyropus.[7] The specific epithet (argyropus) is derived from the Ancient Greek words argyros meaning "silver"[8] and pous meaning "foot".

Distribution and habitat

Bulbophyllum argyropus usually grows on the highest branches of rainforest trees, rarely on rocks. It occurs between the McPherson Range in Queensland and the Dorrigo Plateau in New South Wales as well as on Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands. It has also been reported from New Caledonia.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Jones. David L.. A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. 2006. New Holland. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.. 1877069124. 420–421.
  2. Web site: Bulbophyllum argyropus . Australian National Botanic Gardens . 4 December 2018.
  3. Web site: Bulbophyllum orchid (Bulbophyllum argyropus) . Lord Howe Island Museum . 4 December 2018.
  4. Web site: Weston . Peter H. . Bulbophyllum argyropus . Royal Botanic Garden Sydney . 4 December 2018.
  5. Web site: Thelychiton argyropus. APNI. 4 December 2018.
  6. Book: Endlicher . Stephan . Prodromus Florae Norfolkicae . 1833 . New York . 32–33 . 4 December 2018.
  7. Web site: Bulbophyllum argyropus. APNI. 4 December 2018.
  8. Book: Brown. Roland Wilbur. The Composition of Scientific Words. 1956. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, D.C..
  9. Web site: Taxonomy (of Orchidaceae) . Fauna and Flora of New Caledonia . 4 December 2018.