Dockrillia linguiformis
Encyclopedia
Dockrillia linguiforme, the Button Orchid or Tongue Orchid is a common small orchid, growing north from Ulladulla
in south eastern New South Wales
, Australia
. It was originally described as Dendrobium linguiforme by Swedish botanist Olof Swartz
in 1800, and commonly known by this name for many years until given its current name in 1981 by Brieger. The species name is derived from the Latin
words linguis "tongue" and forma "shape".
The habitat is eucalyptus forest or rainforest
. However it can survive in drier fire free areas west of the Great Dividing Range
such as near Tamworth
in northern New South Wales.
The thick and leathery leaves grow from a creeping rhizome, either as an epiphyte
on trees or as a lithophyte
on rocks. Flowering occurs in September and October.
Ulladulla, New South Wales
Ulladulla is a coastal town in New South Wales, Australia in the City of Shoalhaven local government area. It is on the Princes Highway, about half way between the larger towns of Batemans Bay to the south and Nowra to the north and approximately 179 km south of Sydney...
in south eastern New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
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 originally described as Dendrobium linguiforme by Swedish botanist Olof Swartz
Olof Swartz
Olof Peter Swartz was a Swedish botanist and taxonomist. He is best known for his taxonomic work and studies into pteridophytes...
in 1800, and commonly known by this name for many years until given its current name in 1981 by Brieger. The species name is derived from the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
words linguis "tongue" and forma "shape".
The habitat is eucalyptus forest or rainforest
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
. However it can survive in drier fire free areas west of the Great Dividing Range
Great Dividing Range
The Great Dividing Range, or the Eastern Highlands, is Australia's most substantial mountain range and the third longest in the world. The range stretches more than 3,500 km from Dauan Island off the northeastern tip of Queensland, running the entire length of the eastern coastline through...
such as near Tamworth
Tamworth, New South Wales
Tamworth is a city in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. Straddling the Peel River, Tamworth, which contains an estimated population of 47,595 people, is the major regional centre for southern New England and in the local government area of Tamworth Regional Council. The city...
in northern New South Wales.
The thick and leathery leaves grow from a creeping rhizome, either as an epiphyte
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...
on trees or as a lithophyte
Lithophyte
Lithophytes are a type of plant that grows in or on rocks. Lithophytes feed off moss, nutrients in rain water, litter, and even their own dead tissue....
on rocks. Flowering occurs in September and October.