Habenaria ochroleuca explained

Habenaria ochroleuca, commonly known as the sickle orchid or sickle habenaria, is a species of orchid that is endemic to northern Australia. It has two or three broad, glabrous leaves and up to twenty five white flowers on a flowering stem with many overlapping bracts. The side lobes of the labellum curve upwards.

Description

Habenaria ochroleuca is a tuberous, perennial herb with two or three glabrous leaves NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. There are between ten and twenty five flowers on a wiry flowering stem NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 high with many overlapping bracts. The bracts are NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide and the flowers are NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. The dorsal sepal is about 5sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and 3sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. The lateral sepals are about 6sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long, 3sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide and are held behind the side lobes of the labellum. The petals are about 5sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, 1.5sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide and curve upwards beside the dorsal sepal. The labellum has three lobes, the side lobes are about 4.5sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, 1.5sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and curve upwards. The middle lobe is about 3.5sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and curves downwards towards the ovary. The nectary spur is also curved, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and about 2sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. Flowering occurs from January to March.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Taxonomy and naming

Habenaria ochroleuca was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown and the description was published in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.^{[4] [5]} The specific epithet (ochroleuca) means "pale-yellow" and "white", referring to the colour of the flowers.^[6]

Distribution and habitat

The sickle orchid is found in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, in the northern parts of the Northern Territory and in New Guinea. It is common within its range in Western Australia where it grows in seasonally wet areas and on roadsides.

Conservation

Habenaria ochroleuca is classified as "not threatened" in Western Australia by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.

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. Book: Brown. Andrew. Dundas. Pat. Dixon. Kingsley. Hopper. Stephen. Orchids of Western Australia. 2008. University of Western Australia Press. Crawley, Western Australia. 9780980296457. 496.
3. Web site: Habenaria ochroleuca . Orchids of New Guinea . 28 August 2018.
4. Web site: Habenaria ochroleuca. APNI. 28 August 2018.
5. Book: Brown . Robert . Prodromus florae Novae Hollandiae . 1810 . London . 313 . 28 August 2018.
6. Book: Sharr . Francis Aubi . George . Alex . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 264 . 3rd.