Microtis rara

Scented onion orchid
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Angiosperms
Clade:Monocots
Order:Asparagales
Family:Orchidaceae
Subfamily:Orchidoideae
Tribe:Diurideae
Genus:Microtis
Species: M. rara
Binomial name
Microtis rara
Synonyms[2]

Microtis rara, commonly known as the scented onion orchid,[3] is a species of orchid endemic to eastern Australia. It has a single hollow, onion-like leaf and up to fifty small green or yellowish-green, scented flowers. It is similar to Microtis oblonga and some authorities regard the two as being one species.

Description

Microtis rara is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single erect, tapering, tubular leaf 200–500 mm (8–20 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. Between ten and fifty green or greenish-yellow flowers are well spaced along a flowering stem 30–160 mm (1–6 in) tall. The flowers sweetly scented, 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long and 2–2.5 mm (0.08–0.1 in) wide. The dorsal sepal is egg-shaped, 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long, 1.5–2 mm (0.06–0.08 in) wide with a dished lower surface. The lateral sepals are linear to oblong, 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long, about 1 mm (0.04 in) wide with their tips rolled under. The petals are a curved lance shape, 2–2.5 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long, about 1 mm (0.04 in) wide and spread widely apart. The labellum is more or less oblong, 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long, 1–1.5 mm (0.04–0.06 in) wide with notched edges and a narrowed middle section. There are dark green calli in the centre of the labellum. Flowering occurs from November to January and is stimulated by fire the previous summer.[3][4][5][6]

Taxonomy and naming

Microtis rara was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown and the description was published in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.[1][7] The specific epithet (rara) is a Latin word meaning "scarce", "scattered" or "dispersed".[8]

Some authorities regard Microtis oblonga as being a race of M. rara.[5][9]

Distribution and habitat

The scented onion orchid grows swamps and wet forests and is widespread but not common, occurring in all states but not the Northern Territory.[5][6]

References

  1. 1 2 "Microtis rara". APNI. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  2. ↑ "Microtis rara". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  3. 1 2 Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 227. ISBN 1877069124.
  4. ↑ Bates, Robert J. (1984). "The genus Microtis R.Br. (Orchidaceae): A taxonomic revision with notes on biology" (PDF). Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. 7 (1): 77–80. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 Jeanes, Jeff. "Microtis rara". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  6. 1 2 Rowe, Ross R. "Microtis rara". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  7. ↑ Brown, Robert (1810). Prodromus florae Novae Hollandiae. London. p. 321. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  8. ↑ Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 325.
  9. ↑ "Threatened species profile Microtis rara" (PDF). Government of South Australia Department for Environment and Heritage. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
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