Bulbophyllum johnsonii explained

Bulbophyllum johnsonii, commonly known as the yellow snake orchid,[1] is a species of epiphytic or lithophytic orchid that has a thin, creeping rhizome with flattened pseudobulbs, each with a single tough, dark green leaf and a single bright yellow to orange flower on a thread-like stalk. It grows on trees, shrubs and rocks in and near rainforest in tropical North Queensland.

Description

Bulbophyllum johnsonii is an epiphytic or lithophytic herb that has thin, creeping rhizomes pressed against the surface on which it grows and flattened dark green, reddish or purple pseudobulbs NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide. Each pseudobulb has a tough, dark green, egg-shaped leaf NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide. A single resupinate, red, brown, green or yellowish flower NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide is borne on a thread-like flowering stem NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long. The dorsal sepal is NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide and forms a hood over the column. The lateral sepals are NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide and spread widely apart from each other. The petals are NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long, about 1sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide with a dark blotch on the tip. The labellum is NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, about 1.5sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide with a red base and a yellow tip. Flowering occurs sporadically throughout the year.[2]

Taxonomy and naming

Bulbophyllum johnsonii was first formally described in 1950 by Trevor Edgar Hunt who published the description in Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland from a specimen collected at Hambledon by "A. E. Johnson".[3] [4] The specific epithet (johnsonii) honours the collector of the type specimen.

Distribution and habitat

The yellow snake orchid usually grows on trees, shrubs and rocks in rainforest and open forest, at higher altitudes between the Cedar Bay National Park and the Paluma Range National Park.

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. 432.
  2. Web site: D.L.Jones . T.Hopley . S.M.Duffy . David L. Jones (botanist) . 2010 . 30 May 2021 . Factsheet - Serpenticaulis johnsonii . . Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government.
  3. Web site: Bulbophyllum johnsonii. APNI. 12 December 2018.
  4. Hunt . Trevor Edgar . A review of the genus Bulbophyllum (Orchidaceae) in Australia . Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland . 1950 . 60 . 60 . 13 December 2018.