Bulbophyllum globuliforme
Encyclopedia
Oncophyllum globuliforme (Nicholls) (previously named Bulbophyllum globuliforme), the Green Bead Orchid, or Miniature Moss-orchid. is an epiphytic
orchid that occurs in subtropical rainforest
in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia, in a variety of habitats
including warm temperate rainforest, dry rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest
s at an altitude of 100–900 metres.
One of the smallest orchid species known, the tiny pseudobulb
s are about the size of a pinhead and each has a tiny reduced thread-like leaf at the apex. It can form quite extensive mats on tree trunks. Flowering occurs mainly from October to November and May to August. Flowers are cream with yellow labellum
, rarely flushed with red and cream labellum, and are carried on a solitary stem in the axils of stem bracts.
It grows on bark and forms a thick mat, on the trunk and larger branches of the Hoop Pine (Araucaria cunninghamii), and is often mistaken for moss or lichen.
A very similar species is the closely related Oncophyllum minutissimum
or Red Bead Orchid. This related species possesses small hollow pseudobulbs that contain stoma
ta (organs for gas exchange) on their inner surface. This minimizes the surface area and the danger of loss of water by transpiration.
Epiphyte
An epiphyte is a plant that grows upon another plant non-parasitically or sometimes upon some other object , derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and sometimes from debris accumulating around it, and is found in the temperate zone and in the...
orchid that occurs in subtropical rainforest
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia, in a variety of habitats
Habitat (ecology)
A habitat is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular species of animal, plant or other type of organism...
including warm temperate rainforest, dry rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
s at an altitude of 100–900 metres.
One of the smallest orchid species known, the tiny pseudobulb
Pseudobulb
The pseudobulb is a storage organ derived from the part of a stem between two leaf nodes.It applies to the orchid family , specifically certain groups of epiphytic orchids, and may be single or composed of several internodes with evergreen or deciduous leaves along its length.In some species, it is...
s are about the size of a pinhead and each has a tiny reduced thread-like leaf at the apex. It can form quite extensive mats on tree trunks. Flowering occurs mainly from October to November and May to August. Flowers are cream with yellow labellum
Labellum
Labellum is the Latin diminutive of labium, meaning lip. These are anatomical terms used descriptively in biology, for example in Entomology and botany.-Botany:...
, rarely flushed with red and cream labellum, and are carried on a solitary stem in the axils of stem bracts.
It grows on bark and forms a thick mat, on the trunk and larger branches of the Hoop Pine (Araucaria cunninghamii), and is often mistaken for moss or lichen.
A very similar species is the closely related Oncophyllum minutissimum
Oncophyllum minutissimum
Oncophyllum minutissimum D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem., or Red Bead Orchid is a common widespread epiphytic orchid.Synonyms: Bulbophyllum minutissimum F. Muell. 1878; Dendrobium minutissimum F.Muell. 1866; Dendrobium nummulifolium R.King 1879; Oncophyllum minutissimum D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem...
or Red Bead Orchid. This related species possesses small hollow pseudobulbs that contain stoma
Stoma
In botany, a stoma is a pore, found in the leaf and stem epidermis that is used forgas exchange. The pore is bordered by a pair of specialized parenchyma cells known as guard cells that are responsible for regulating the size of the opening...
ta (organs for gas exchange) on their inner surface. This minimizes the surface area and the danger of loss of water by transpiration.
External links
- For a good photo of the flowers see: http://www.mombu.com/orchids/attachment.php?s=f13ee263fc286fa43b4a1838cf4280bb&attachmentid=19836&d=1161893974
- For another large photo showing the leaves and good short description see: http://www.orchidspecies.com/bulbglobiforme.htm