Aphyllorchis queenslandica Dockrill

Dockrill, A.W. (1965) Orchadian 1: 115. Type: Queensland, Helenvale, May 1962, C. Le Roy: Holo: QRS.

Yellow Pauper Orchid

Above ground part of the plant (peduncle + inflorescence) about 65-90 cm tall.

Plant devoid of chlorophyll. 'Leaves' (bracts) about 8-10 per plant, sessile, about 0.5-3 x 0.6-1.1 cm. Bracts 3-veined, venation longitudinal and parallel.

Sepals about 13 x 2.5 mm. Petals about 11 x 2 mm, labellum larger. Labellum cream, margins upturned, purple. Column purple at the base, but yellow towards the apex. Stamen fused to the style to form a column. Staminal column about 7 x 1.5 mm. Ovary about 12 x 2 mm, outer surface with 6 longitudinal ribs.

Inflorescence about 40-70 cm long, usually 6-12-flowered. Peduncle with up to 10 stem-clasping bracts, each bract about 5-20 x 6-10 mm. Bracts subtending the flowers about 10 x 2 mm and are not stem-clasping. Flowers about 20 mm wide on pedicels about 2-3 mm long. Sepals about 11-13 c 3-4 mm. Petals about 11 x 3 mm. Labellum about 6 x 2.5 mm. Column about 6-8 x 1.5 mm, curved, semi-cylindrical. Anther sessile, about 2 x 1.75 mm, broader than the column. Ovary about 18-22 mm long, placentas 3, ovules numerous.

Features not available.

Occurs in CYP and NEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 400 m. This species may also occur more widely in Malesia under other names.

Plants lack chlorophyll and live as saprophytes.