Habenaria macraithii explained

Habenaria macraithii, commonly known as the whiskered rein orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to a small area in far north Queensland. It has up to eleven scattered leaves and up to twenty five relatively large green flowers with thread-like petal lobes.

Description

Habenaria macraithii is a tuberous, perennial herb with between seven and eleven scattered bluish green leaves, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. Between fifteen and twenty five green flowers, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide are borne on a flowering stem NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 tall. The dorsal and lateral sepals are NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and about 4sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide, the lateral sepals are narrow egg-shaped and spread widely apart from each other. The petals have two lobes. One lobe is NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, about 1.5sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide and tapered, the other thread-like and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long. The labellum has three lobes. The side lobes are thread-like, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and the middle lobe is linear and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long. The labellum spur turns downwards and is NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long. Flowering occurs from July to September.[1] [2] [3]

Taxonomy and naming

Habenaria macraithii was first formally described in 1984 by Bill Lavarack and the description was published in The Orchadian. The specific epithet (macraithii) honours Gerald McCraith of the Australian Orchid Foundation. In Australia, the species is formally known as Habenaria maccraithii.[4]

Distribution and habitat

The whiskered rein orchid grows on levees in rainforest. It is only known from a few sites in the Kutini-Payamu and Kulla National Parks.

Conservation

Habenaria macraithii is listed as "endangered" under the Australian Government EPBC Act.

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. 343.
  2. Web site: Approved conservation advice for Habenaria macraithii . Australian Government Department of the Environment . 26 August 2018.
  3. Web site: D.L.Jones . T.Hopley . S.M.Duffy . David L. Jones (botanist) . 2010 . 30 May 2021 . Factsheet - Habenaria macraithii . . Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government.
  4. Web site: Habenaria maccraithii. APNI. 26 August 2018.