Dipodium roseum

Dipodium roseum
Inflorescence, Otways, Victoria
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Cymbidieae
Alliance: Dipodium
Genus: Dipodium
Species: D. roseum
Binomial name
Dipodium roseum
D.L. Jones & M.A. Clem.[1][2]

Dipodium roseum, commonly known as rosy hyacinth-orchid[3] or pink hyacinth-orchid,[1] is a leafless mycoheterotrophic orchid found in east and south-eastern Australia.

Description

For most of the year, plants are dormant and have no above-ground presence. Below the ground lie fleshy roots. Flower spikes ranging from 30 to 90 cm in height appear between December and April.[3] These racemose inflorescences have 15 to 40 pink flowers with small darker spots. The sepals and petals are strongly recurved and the three-lobed labellum is pink with dark lines and a band of mauve hairs.[4] A rare white-flowering form also exists.[3]

Taxonomy

The species was formally described in 1991. The type specimen was collected in Montrose in Victoria's Dandenong Ranges.[1] The species was previously included in a wider circumscription of Dipodium punctatum.[1]

Distribution and habitat

Dipodium roseum occurs in dry woodland in the states of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania.[4]

Ecology

Pollination of this species, as for all species in the genus, is by native bees and wasps.[5]

Cultivation

No leafless species of Dipodium has been sustained in cultivation due to the inability to replicate its association with mycorrhizal fungi in a horticultural context.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Dipodium roseum". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  2. "Dipodium roseum M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones". The Plant List version 1.1. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "Dipodium roseum". Yarra Ranges Local Plant Directory. Yarra Ranges Shire Council. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  4. 1 2 Weston, P.H. "Dipodium roseum M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones". PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  5. 1 2 Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia, including the island territories. Australia: Reed New Holland Publishers. ISBN 9781877069123.
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