Microtis media subsp. densiflora explained

Microtis media subsp. densiflora, commonly known as the dense mignonette orchid, is a species of orchid which is endemic to the south–west of Western Australia. It has a single smooth, tubular leaf and a flowering spike with up to one hundred and fifty small yellowish-green flowers. It differs from Microtis media subsp. media in the shape of its flower spike and the shape of its labellum.

Description

Microtis media subsp. densiflora is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single erect, smooth, tubular leaf NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. Between twenty and one hundred and fifty small greenish-yellow flowers are crowded along an erect, fleshy flowering stem NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long. Each flower is NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide. The dorsal sepal is erect and about 3sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, 2sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. The lateral sepals are about 2sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, 1sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide and curl downwards. The petals are about 2sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, 1sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide and face forwards. The labellum is thin, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide with irregular edges and a small callus. Flowering occurs from October to January.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Taxonomy and naming

The dense mignonette orchid was first formally described in 1873 by George Bentham who gave it the name Microtis parviflora var. densiflora and published the description in Flora Australiensis.^{[4] [5]} In 1990 Robert Bates included it as a subspecies of Microtis media along with subspecies media and quadrata.^[6] The last of these has since been raised to species status as M. quadrata by David Jones and Mark Clements.^[7]

The epithet (densiflora) is derived from the Latin densus (thick, crowded, dense), and -florus (-flowered) referring to the dense flower spike.^[8]

Distribution and habitat

The dense mignonette orchid is found between Perth and Albany where it grows seasonally in wet placed.

Conservation

Microtis media subsp. densiflora is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.

Notes and References

1. Book: Brown. Andrew. Dixon. Kingsley. French. Christopher. Brockman. Garry. Field guide to the orchids of Western Australia : the definitive guide to the native orchids of Western Australia. 2013. Simon Nevill Publications. 9780980348149. 288.
2. Book: Hoffman. Noel. Brown. Andrew. Orchids of South-West Australia.. 2011. Noel Hoffman. Gooseberry Hill. 9780646562322. 340. 3rd.
3. 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. 223.
4. Web site: Microtis parviflora var. densiflora. APNI. 20 February 2018.
5. Book: Bentham. George. Flora Australiensis . 1876. 6 . Lovell Reeve & Co. London. 348. 20 February 2018.
6. Bates. Robert J.. Notes on the genus Microtis (Orchidaceae) in Western Australia with the description of two new taxa. Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden. 1990. 13. 51–54. 20 March 2018.
7. Web site: Microtis media subsp. densiflora. APNI. 20 February 2018.
8. Book: Francis Aubie Sharr. Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, Western Australia . 9780958034180 . 354.