Corybas fordhamii (Corybas fordhamii)
Description
Corybas fordhamii, commonly known as the banded helmet orchid or swamp helmet orchid, is a species of terrestrial orchid endemicto south-eastern Australia. It has an egg-shaped to heart-shaped leaf and a reddish to reddish purple flower which leans forward. It is similar to C. unguiculatis which does not grow in swamps and has a different labellum.Corybas fordhamii is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with a single egg-shaped to heart-shaped leaf 22–38 mm (0.9–1 in) long and 17–30 mm (0.7–1 in) wide. The leaf is green on the upper surface and bluish green on the lower side. There is a single reddish to reddish purple flower 12–14 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long which leans forward on a stalk 12–14 mm (0.47–0.55 in) long. The dorsal sepal is spoon-shaped, 11–13 mm (0.43–0.51 in) long and 4.5–6 mm (0.18–0.24 in) wide. The lateral sepals are narrow triangular, white and about 7 mm (0.3 in) long. The petals are similar to the lateral sepals but only half as long. The labellum is about 14 mm (0.6 in) long, slightly shorter than the dorsal sepal and has red and white streaks. It has many short red bristles around its edge. Flowering occurs from July to October.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum:
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Class: Liliopsida
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Order: Asparagales
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Family: Orchidaceae
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Genus: Corybas
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