Cryptostylis erecta
Encyclopedia
Cryptostylis erecta, commonly known as the Bonnet Orchid or Tartan Tongue Orchid , is an orchid native to south eastern Australia
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A small and common plant, up to 40 cm (16 in) tall, Cryptostylis erecta has prominent dark green spear-shaped (lanceolate) to ovate leaves that are 6–13 cm (2.4-5.2 in) in length and 1.3–3 cm (0.5-1.2 in) across, the undersides of which are purple. The inflorescence
s (flower spikes) appear from spring to autumn (September to April) and bear two to twelve individual flowers. Each flower has a prominent hood- or bonnet-shaped labellum
with maroon stripes and markings on lilac. Its dimensions can reach 2–3.5 cm (0.8-1.4 in) high and 1–1.5 cm (0.4-0.6 in) wide. Arising around the labellum are the green 1.8 to 2.5 cm (0.7-1 in) long sepal
s. The natural habitat is on sandy soils, dry eucalyptus
woodlands and heathlands. Cryptostylis erecta occurs mostly in coastal districts, although it is also found in the Upper Blue Mountains.
Like other Australian members of its genus, it is pollinated by the ichneumon
wasp known as the orchid dupe wasp (Lissopimpla excelsa
), the males of which mistake the flower parts for female wasps and copulate with it.
In 1810, the species originally appeared in the scientific literature, Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae, authored by the prolific Scottish botanist, Robert Brown
.
Cryptostylis erecta has been successsfully grown by orchid enthusiasts, but is slow growing. The rhizomes are delicate and resent disturbance, and need to be moist at all times.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
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A small and common plant, up to 40 cm (16 in) tall, Cryptostylis erecta has prominent dark green spear-shaped (lanceolate) to ovate leaves that are 6–13 cm (2.4-5.2 in) in length and 1.3–3 cm (0.5-1.2 in) across, the undersides of which are purple. The inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
s (flower spikes) appear from spring to autumn (September to April) and bear two to twelve individual flowers. Each flower has a prominent hood- or bonnet-shaped 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:...
with maroon stripes and markings on lilac. Its dimensions can reach 2–3.5 cm (0.8-1.4 in) high and 1–1.5 cm (0.4-0.6 in) wide. Arising around the labellum are the green 1.8 to 2.5 cm (0.7-1 in) long sepal
Sepal
A sepal is a part of the flower of angiosperms . Collectively the sepals form the calyx, which is the outermost whorl of parts that form a flower. Usually green, sepals have the typical function of protecting the petals when the flower is in bud...
s. The natural habitat is on sandy soils, dry eucalyptus
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
woodlands and heathlands. Cryptostylis erecta occurs mostly in coastal districts, although it is also found in the Upper Blue Mountains.
Like other Australian members of its genus, it is pollinated by the ichneumon
Ichneumonidae
Ichneumonidae is a family within the insect order Hymenoptera. Insects in this family are commonly called ichneumon wasps. Less exact terms are ichneumon flies , or scorpion wasps due to the extreme lengthening and curving of the abdomen...
wasp known as the orchid dupe wasp (Lissopimpla excelsa
Lissopimpla excelsa
Lissopimpla excelsa, commonly known as the orchid dupe wasp, is a Wasp of the family Ichneumonidae native to Australia. Although also found in New Zealand it has probably been introduced there. It pollinates all five Australian members of the orchid genus Cryptostylis . The male wasp mistakes the...
), the males of which mistake the flower parts for female wasps and copulate with it.
In 1810, the species originally appeared in the scientific literature, Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae, authored by the prolific Scottish botanist, Robert Brown
Robert Brown (botanist)
Robert Brown was a Scottish botanist and palaeobotanist who made important contributions to botany largely through his pioneering use of the microscope...
.
Cryptostylis erecta has been successsfully grown by orchid enthusiasts, but is slow growing. The rhizomes are delicate and resent disturbance, and need to be moist at all times.