|
|
|
Eucosia umbrosa D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem, Orchadian 14(8): Suppl. ix (2004). Type: Queensland. Mount Lewis road, c. 29 km from main road, 29 Apr. 2003, B. Gray 8579 (holo QRS).
Occurs in north-eastern Queensland from Mount Finnigan near Cooktown to Mount Fox near Ingham.
Altitude: 700-1400 m.
Terrestrial herb forming small clumps. Rhizome cylindrical, sparsely branched, cylindrical. Stems creeping, with erect apex, 10-20 cm x 0.3-0.4 cm wide, succulent. Leaves 4-8, scattered along stem, prostrate, forming a loose rosette, petioles channelled, 5-20 mm long, bases sheathing stem; lamina broadly ovate to lanceolate, 3-8 cm x 1-3 cm, bright green, shiny, prominently veined, margins undulate, apex acute. Inflorescence a terminal spike, erect, 200-300 mm long, fleshy, brittle, shortly hairy, flowers subtended by sheathing bracts. Flowers 3-10, often crowded, resupinate, porrect, hooded, 8-12 mm x 10-15 mm, usually pale green, sometimes pinkish, glabrous. Dorsal sepal projected obliquely forwards, hooded, forming galea with petals, ovate to lanceolate, 7-9 mm x 3.2-3.7 mm. Lateral sepals widely divergent, broadly ovate, 7-9 mm x 3.3-3.5 mm. Petals erect, broadly elliptic, forming part of galea, 7.5-8.5 mm x 3.5-4 mm. Labellum unlobed, porrect, asymmetric, broadly ovate, 7-8 mm x 7-7.5 mm, base deeply pouched and hairy; apex acuminate, sharply recurved. Column 2 mm long. Column foot absent. Capsules erect, dehiscent.
Occurs in highland rainforests in shady sites growing in loose friable soil, leaf litter and humus, often in rock crevices and on the top of granite boulders.
Highly localised.
Flowering period: June-August.
Previously confused with Goodyera viridiflora from Indonesia.
