Australian Tropical Rainforest Orchids
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Bryobium intermedium

Spotted Urchin Orchid

Bryobium intermedium (Dockrill) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem., Orchadian 15(1): 88 (2006).

Eria intermedia Dockrill, Austral. Pl. 3: 120-128, f. (1965). Type: Whitfield Range, North Queensland, 26 Dec. 1961, A.W. Dockrill s.n. (holo BRI).

Distribution

Occurs in far north-eastern Queensland in the higher regions of Whitfield Range near Cairns.

Altitude: 400-600 m.

Description

Epiphytic or lithophytic herb forming dense clumps. Pseudobulbs ovoid, 3-4 cm x 1.3-1.7 cm, fleshy, separated by short rhizome, covered with brown papery bracts when young. Leaf solitary on pseudobulb, erect, apical, narrowly oblong to narrowly ovate, 7-13.5 cm x 3-3.5 cm, thin-textured but tough, light green, apex unequally emarginate. Inflorescence an axiliary raceme, 40-80 mm long, from upper nodes of pseudobulb, tomentose throughout; pedicels 8-10 mm long. Flowers 4-8, porrect, cupped, 6-8 mm x 5-6 mm, translucent cream or whitish with a few red spots. Petals and sepals not opening widely, incurved, glabrescent. Dorsal sepal free, oblong to ovate, 6-7 mm x 3 mm. Lateral sepals broadly triangular, 6-7 mm x 5-6 mm, bases fused to column foot, apex acute to acuminate. Petals 4-5 mm x 2 mm. Labellum erect, 6 mm x 5 mm, curved, 3-lobed; lateral lobes large, erect; midlobe decurved, very short, with 2 tapered ridges. Column 2-3 mm long. Column foot curved, 2-3 mm long, more or less in line with column. Capsules erect, dehiscent.

Ecology

Occurs in wet rainforests in well-lit humid situations, often close to streams, growing on the trunks and branches of trees.

Highly localised.

Flowering period: October-December.

Notes

This species has an extremely limited distribution and is considered to be endangered.

Name Changes

Until recently known as Eria intermediaand sometimes incorrectly as Eria dischorensis.

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