Sarcochilus serrulatus explained

Sarcochilus serrulatus, commonly known as the banded butterfly orchid,[1] is an epiphytic orchid endemic to tropical North Queensland. It has up to six crowded leaves with finely toothed and wavy edges and up to ten reddish brown flowers with a white, yellow-banded labellum.

Description

Sarcochilus serrulatus is an epiphytic herb with a stem NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long with between three and six curved leaves NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and about 20sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. The leaves are oblong to egg-shaped with wavy edges that have fine teeth. Between two and ten reddish brown flowers NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide are arranged on a fleshy, club-shaped flowering stem NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long. The dorsal sepal is NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and wide whilst the lateral sepals are NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide. The petals are shorter and narrower than the lateral sepals. The labellum is white with reddish and yellowish markings, about 4sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and wide with three lobes. The side lobes are erect and curve inwards and the middle lobe is fleshy with a spur about 3sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long. Flowering occurs between August and January.[2]

Taxonomy and naming

Sarcochilus serrulatus was first formally described in 1972 by David Jones and the description was published in The Victorian Naturalist.[3] [4] The specific epithet (serrulatus) is derived from the Latin word serra meaning "toothed like a saw".[5]

Distribution and habitat

The banded butterfly orchid grows on trees in dense rainforest, usually near streams. It is only known from the Tablelands Region of north Queensland.

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. 451.
  2. Web site: D.L.Jones . T.Hopley . S.M.Duffy . David L. Jones (botanist) . 2010 . 31 May 2021 . Factsheet - Sarcochilus serrulatus . . Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government.
  3. Web site: Sarcochilus serrulatus. APNI. 5 January 2019.
  4. Jones . David L. . A new Sarcochilus species from Northern Queensland . The Victorian Naturalist . 1972 . 89 . 344–346 . 5 January 2019.
  5. Book: Brown. Roland Wilbur. The Composition of Scientific Words. 1956. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, D.C.. 682.