Bristly helmet orchid (Corybas hispidus)
Description
Corybas hispidus, commonly known as the bristly helmet orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to eastern Australia. It is distinguished from other helmet orchids by its autumn to winter flowering period, and by its labellum which has a bristly-hairy, creamy-white centre and is deeply notched along its top edge. Corybas hispidus is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber. It has a single dark green leaf which is more or less circular in shape, 15-35 mm long and wide and silvery-green or reddish on the lower surface. The single flower is reddish-purple and white with a greenish-grey dorsal sepal with red or dark purple spots. The dorsal sepal is egg-shaped or spoon-shaped, forms a hood over the labellum and is 22-36 mm long and 11-18 mm wide when flattened. The lateral sepals are linear in shape, 5-9 mm long and about 1 mm wide. The petals are about 5mm long and 1 mm wide, linear in shape except for near their base which is wing-shaped. The labellum is tube-shaped, 20-30 mm long and wide and the edges have many linear teeth. The central "boss" of the labellum is dome-shaped and white with a notch at the top and the surface is covered with short, stiff bristles. Flowering is from March to August.
Taxonomic tree
-
Domain: Eukarya
-
-
Kingdom: Plantae
-
-
Phylum:
-
-
Class: Liliopsida
-
-
Order: Asparagales
-
-
Family: Orchidaceae
-
-
Genus: Corybas
-
-
-
-
-
-
