Dendrobium lichenastrum
| Common button orchid | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
| Tribe: | Malaxideae |
| Subtribe: | Dendrobiinae |
| Genus: | Dendrobium |
| Species: | D. lichenastrum
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| Binomial name | |
| Dendrobium lichenastrum | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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List of synonyms
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Dendrobium lichenastrum, commonly known as the common button orchid,[2] is a species of epiphytic or lithophytic orchid endemic to far north Queensland. It has a creeping, branching rhizome surrounded by papery bracts, small egg-shaped to round, fleshy, dark green leaves and a single white, cream-coloured or pink flower with red stripes and an orange labellum.
Description[edit]
Dendrobium lichenastrum is an epiphytic or lithophytic herb with creeping, branching rhizomes that are 1 mm (0.04 in) in diameter, covered with papery bracts and form a spreading mat over the substrate. The leaves are egg-shaped to almost round, 4–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) wide and lie flat on the surface. A single white, cream-coloured or pink flower with red stripes on a thin pedicel up to 15 mm (0.6 in) long appears from a leaf base. The flower is resupinate, 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) wide and has a prominent orange labellum. The dorsal sepal is egg-shaped, erect, 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and about 2.5 mm (0.1 in) wide. The lateral sepals are triangular, 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and about 4 mm (0.2 in) wide and spread widely apart from each other. The petals are linear in shape, a similar length to the sepals but much narrower. The labellum is oblong, about 7 mm (0.3 in) long and 2 mm (0.08 in) wide and fleshy with thickened edges. Flowering occurs sporadically throughout the year.[2][3]
Taxonomy and naming[edit]
The common button orchid was first formally described in 1901 by Ferdinand von Mueller who gave it the name Bulbophyllum lichenastrum and published the description in Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae from a specimen collected by John Dallachy near Rockingham Bay.[4][5] In 1905 Robert Allen Rolfe changed the name to Dendrobium lichenastrum.[6] The specific epithet (lichenastrum) is derived from the Ancient Greek words leichen meaning "a lichen"[7]: 475 and astron meaning "a star".[7]: 478
Distribution and habitat[edit]
Dendrobium lichenastrum grows on rocks, cliffs and trees in rainforest between Mount Finnigan and Mackay.[2][3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Dendrobium lichenastrum". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- ^ a b c Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 385. ISBN 1877069124.
- ^ a b D.L.Jones; T.Hopley; S.M.Duffy (2010). "Factsheet - Davejonesia lichenastrum". Australian Tropical Rainforest Orchids. Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
- ^ "Bulbophyllum lichenastrum". APNI. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ von Mueller, Ferdinand (1869). Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae. Vol. 7. Melbourne: Victorian Government Printer. p. 60. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ "Dendrobium lichenastrum". APNI. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ a b Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.