Australian Tropical Rainforest Orchids
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Oxysepala grandimesensis

Pale Rope Orchid

Oxysepala grandimesensis (B.Gray & D.L.Jones) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem., Orchadian 13(11): 500 (2002).

Bulbophyllum grandimesense B.Gray & D.L.Jones, Austrobaileya 3(1): 141-142, f.1,4A (1989).Type: Queensland. Cook District: T.R. 146, Parish of Monkhouse, Tableland L.A., 15°43’S, 145°17’E, 800 m, 3 May 1983, B. Gray 3045 (holo QRS; iso BRI).

Distribution

Occurs in north-eastern Queensland restricted to Big Tableland on the Trevethan Range, south of Cooktown.

Altitude: 600-800 m.

Description

Epiphytic herb forming small semi-erect to pendulous clumps. Stems sparsely branched, 2-8 cm long, sheathed in brown bracts. Pseudobulbs ovoid to cylindrical, 0.4-0.6 cm x 0.15-0.25 cm, dark green, without bracts. Leaf solitary on pseudobulb, erect, apical, petiole 4-6 mm long, base not sheathing pseudobulb; lamina linear to narrowly oblong, 1.5-5 cm x 0.3-0.5 cm wide, dark green, thick, fleshy, narrowly and shallowly grooved. Inflorescence axillary, single-flowered, erect, from perennial meristem at base of pseudobulb; pedicels 1.5 mm long, filiform. Flowers resupinate, porrect to nodding, 6-8 mm x 5-7 mm, white. Sepals and petals fleshy, not spreading widely; sepals narrowly triangular, with filiform apices. Dorsal sepal obliquely erect, 8-9 mm x 2-2.5 mm. Lateral sepals divergent, 8-9 mm x 2-2.5 mm, inner margins basally fused, bases fused to column foot. Petals porrect, narrowly ovate, 2.5 mm x 1.5 mm. Labellum unlobed, hinged on the apex of the column foot, more or less oblong, 2.3 mm x 1.3 mm, erect at the base then recurved in a semi-circle near the middle; base channelled; apex obtuse. Column more or less porrect from the ovary, 1 mm long, with small wings. Column foot at an acute angle with the column, 1.5 mm long, curved. Capsules unknown.

Ecology

Occurs in rainforests growing on the small upper branches of trees.

Highly localised.

Flowering period: May to June.

Name Changes

Until recently known as Bulbophyllum grandimesense.

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