Dischidia nummularia R.Br.

Brown, R. (1810) Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae : 461. Type: Queensland, Endeavour River, Banks & Solander: holo: BM. Fide R. E. Rintz, Blumea 26: 98 (1980).

Button Orchid

A slender vine not exceeding a stem diameter of 2 cm. Usually found growing as an epiphyte on the bark of trees. Climbing by means of adventitious roots but also hanging from branches like strings of beads.

Twigs, leaves and petioles produce a milky exudate. Leaf blades very thick and fleshy, blue-grey in colour, about 6-15 x 4-13 mm, petioles about 1-2 mm long. Underside of the leaf blade clothed in white peltate scales. Veins not visible.

Peduncles about 7-8 mm long. Pedicels about 2.5 mm long. Sepals about 0.5 mm long. Corolla tube about 2 mm long, lobes about 0.5 mm long. Corona consists of 5 strap-like structures each of which is 2-armed at the apex. Pollinia erect. Stigma not projecting above the anther apices.

Follicles about 35 x 0.7 mm, broadest towards the base and tapering to a long slender point at the apex. Seeds about 2.5 x 0.6 mm. Plumes white, about 25 mm long. Cotyledons about as wide as the radicle. Cotyledons about 1 mm long, radicle about 1.5 mm long.

Features not available.

Occurs in CYP and NEQ. Altitudinal range not great, extending from near sea level to 250 m. Grows as an epiphytic vine in open forest, swamp forest and rain forest. Also occurs in New Guinea and other parts of Malesia.