Cirrbopetalum gracillimum

Cirrbopetalum gracillimum
Cirrbopetalum gracillimum, previously Bulbophyllum gracillimum. The Wispy Umbrella Orchid. Illustration by Lewis Roberts
Conservation status
Vulnerable (EPBC Act)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Orchidaceae
Subfamily:	Epidendroideae
Genus:	Cirrbopetalum
Species:	C. gracillimum
Binomial name
Cirrbopetalum gracillimum

Cirrbopetalum gracillimum, the Wispy Umbrella Orchid, previously known as Bulbophyllum gracillimum, is found in Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea, New Caledonia and in the Janet Range, the Iron Range and Tozer Range in Queensland, Australia.^[1]

Description

This orchid has a long inflorescence with 6-10 flowers, each 30-50mm long which, in Queensland, bloom between August and March. The flowers spread in a horizontal semicircle 30-50 x 5-8mm, and are purplish-red with a white to cream labellum. The rootstock is about 2mm thick. The dark olive-green leaves are fairly large and the sepals have long thread-like tails.^[2]

Footnotes

1. ^ Jones (2006), p. 425.
2. ^ Jones (2006), p. 425.

References

• Clements, M.A. & Jones, D.L. (2002) "Nomenclatural changes in the Australian and New Zealand Bulbophyllinae and Eriinae (Orchidaceae). The Orchadian 13(11): 500. [comb. nov.]
• Jones, David L. (2006). A complete Guide to Native Orchids of Australia, including the island territories. New Holland Publishers, Frenchs Forest, N.S.W. 2086 Australia. ISBN 1-877069-12-4.

External links

• Australian Plant Name Index.
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility