Cryptostylis subulata
Encyclopedia
Cryptostylis subulata, known as the Large Tongue Orchid grows in south eastern Australia
. It was given its current name by H.G. Reichenbach in 1871, originally described by Labillardiere as Malaxis subulata in 1806 from Tasmania. The specific epithet subulata refers to the duck like shape of the flower's labellum
. Sometimes this plant is known as the Duck Orchid, but this may cause confusion with the Flying Duck Orchid
.
Cryptostylis subulata is a small and common plant, up to 50 cm (20 in) tall. The large green leaves arise from the base of the stalk and sit on petioles
that are anywhere from 1 to 15 cm (0.4-6 in) long. The leaves are lanceolate in shape and measure 5–20 cm (2-8 in) long and 1–3 cm (0.4-1.2 in) across. The inflorescence
s (flower spikes) appear from spring to early autumn (October to March) and bear two to fourteen individual flowers. Each flower has several long thin green sepal
s which are 1.5 to 3 cm (0.6-1.2 in) long, while the labellum
is a rolled reddish brown tube-like structure measuring 1.5–3.5 cm (0.6-1.4 in) long by 0.5–1 cm (0.2-0.4 in) across.
It is tolerant of a range of soils, from well-drained sandy heathland to swampy depressed areas, as well as dry eucalypt forest. It occurs mostly in coastal districts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, although it is also found in the 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.
Cryptostylis subulata 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...
. It was given its current name by H.G. Reichenbach in 1871, originally described by Labillardiere as Malaxis subulata in 1806 from Tasmania. The specific epithet subulata refers to the duck like shape of the flower's 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:...
. Sometimes this plant is known as the Duck Orchid, but this may cause confusion with the Flying Duck Orchid
Caleana major
Caleana major, the Flying Duck Orchid is a small orchid found in eastern and southern Australia. This terrestrial plant features a remarkable flower, resembling a duck in flight. The flower is an attractant to insects, such as male sawflies which pollinate the flower in a process known as...
.
Cryptostylis subulata is a small and common plant, up to 50 cm (20 in) tall. The large green leaves arise from the base of the stalk and sit on petioles
Petiole (botany)
In botany, the petiole is the stalk attaching the leaf blade to the stem. The petiole usually has the same internal structure as the stem. Outgrowths appearing on each side of the petiole are called stipules. Leaves lacking a petiole are called sessile, or clasping when they partly surround the...
that are anywhere from 1 to 15 cm (0.4-6 in) long. The leaves are lanceolate in shape and measure 5–20 cm (2-8 in) long and 1–3 cm (0.4-1.2 in) across. 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 early autumn (October to March) and bear two to fourteen individual flowers. Each flower has several long thin green 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 which are 1.5 to 3 cm (0.6-1.2 in) long, while the 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:...
is a rolled reddish brown tube-like structure measuring 1.5–3.5 cm (0.6-1.4 in) long by 0.5–1 cm (0.2-0.4 in) across.
It is tolerant of a range of soils, from well-drained sandy heathland to swampy depressed areas, as well as dry eucalypt forest. It occurs mostly in coastal districts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, although it is also found in the 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.
Cryptostylis subulata 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.