Bulbophyllum elisae explained

Bulbophyllum elisae, commonly known as the pineapple orchid,[1] is a species of epiphytic or lithophytic orchid that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has crowded, wrinkled, pale green or yellowish clump-forming pseudobulbs, stiff, pale green to yellowish leaves and between three and twelve pale green to dark green flowers with a dark red to purple labellum. It usually grows in the tops of rainforest trees, on cliff faces or boulders.

Description

Bulbophyllum elisae is an epiphytic or lithophytic herb with crowded, wrinkled and grooved, pale green or yellowish pseudobulbs NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide. The leaves are narrow oblong to lance-shaped, thin, leathery, flat, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide. Between three and twelve pale green to dark green flowers NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide are arranged on one side of a thin flowering stem NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long. The dorsal sepal is egg-shaped, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and about 3sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide, but the lateral sepals are much longer at NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide. The petals are about 3sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and 2sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide. The labellum is purple, fleshy, about 4sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and 2sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide. Flowering occurs between May and November.[2]

Taxonomy and naming

The pineapple orchid was first formally described in 1868 by Ferdinand von Mueller who gave it the name Cirrhopetalum elisae and published the description in the Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae from a specimen collected near Tenterfield.[3] [4] In 1873, George Bentham changed the name to Bulbophyllum elisae.[5] The specific epithet (elisae) honours Eliza Kern.[6]

Distribution and habitat

Bulbophyllum elisae grows on the highest branches of rainforest trees, sometimes on cliff faces and boulders. It occurs between the Bunya Mountains in Queensland and the Blue Mountains in New South Wales.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Jones. David L.. A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. 2006. New Holland. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.. 1877069124. 421.
  2. Web site: Weston . Peter H. . Bulbophyllum elisae . Royal Botanic Garden Sydney . 5 December 2018.
  3. Web site: Cirrhopetalum elisae. APNI. 5 December 2018.
  4. Book: von Mueller . Ferdinand . Fragmenta phytographiae Australia . 1868 . 6 . Victorian Government Printer . Melbourne . 120 . 5 December 2018.
  5. Web site: Bulbophyllum elisae. APNI. 5 December 2018.
  6. Book: Bailey . Frederick Manson . A Synopsis of the Queensland Flora: First Supplement . 1886 . Government Printer . Brisbane . 56 . 8 January 2019.