Bulbophyllum boonjee explained

Bulbophyllum boonjee commonly known as the maroon strand orchid,[1] is a species of epiphytic orchid that is endemic to tropical North Queensland. It has crowded, flattened pseudobulbs, stiff, pale green leaves and up to four small, bell-shaped maroon flowers with darker stripes.

Description

Bulbophyllum boonjee is an epiphytic herb with crowded, flattened, pale green pseudobulbs NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide. Each pseudobulb has a single stiff, pale green leaf, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide. Between two and four bell-shaped maroon flowers with darker stripes, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide are arranged on a thread-like flowering stem NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long. The dorsal sepal is NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide, the lateral sepals a similar length but twice as wide. The petals are NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide. The labellum is about 2.5sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and less than 1sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide, and curved with small lumps on the upper surface. Flowering occurs between September and February.[2]

Taxonomy and naming

Bulbophyllum boonjee was first formally described in 1984 by Bruce Gray and David Jones and published The Orchadian.[3]

Distribution and habitat

The maroon strand orchid grows on thin branches of rainforest trees on the Atherton Tableland and Mount Lewis in Queensland.

Conservation

This orchid is classed as "vulnerable" under the Queensland Government Nature Conservation Act 1992.[4]

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. 421.
  2. Web site: D.L.Jones . T.Hopley . S.M.Duffy . David L. Jones (botanist) . 2010 . 30 May 2021 . Factsheet - Adelopetalum boonjee . . Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government.
  3. Web site: Bulbophyllum boonjee. APNI. 4 December 2018.
  4. Web site: Bulbophyllum boonjee . The State of Queensland (Department of Environment and Science) . 18 January 2019.