Cryptostylis erecta

Bonnet Orchid
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Australia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Orchidaceae
Genus:	Cryptostylis
Species:	C. erecta
Binomial name
Cryptostylis erecta R.Br.

Cryptostylis erecta, commonly known as the Bonnet Orchid or Tartan Tongue Orchid , is an orchid native to south eastern Australia.^[1]

A small and common plant, up to 40 cm (16 in) tall, Cryptostylis erecta has prominent dark green spear-shaped (lanceolate) to ovate leaves that are 6–13 cm (2.4-5.2 in) in length and 1.3–3 cm (0.5-1.2 in) across, the undersides of which are purple. The inflorescences (flower spikes) appear from spring to autumn (September to April) and bear two to twelve individual flowers. Each flower has a prominent hood- or bonnet-shaped labellum with maroon stripes and markings on lilac. Its dimensions can reach 2–3.5 cm (0.8-1.4 in) high and 1–1.5 cm (0.4-0.6 in) wide. Arising around the labellum are the green 1.8 to 2.5 cm (0.7-1 in) long sepals.^[2] The natural habitat is on sandy soils, dry eucalyptus woodlands and heathlands. Cryptostylis erecta occurs mostly in coastal districts, although it is also found in the Upper Blue Mountains.^[2]

Like other Australian members of its genus, it is pollinated by the ichneumon wasp known as the orchid dupe wasp (Lissopimpla excelsa), the males of which mistake the flower parts for female wasps and copulate with it.^[3]

In 1810, the species originally appeared in the scientific literature, Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae, authored by the prolific Scottish botanist, Robert Brown.^[4]

Cryptostylis erecta has been successsfully grown by orchid enthusiasts, but is slow growing. The rhizomes are delicate and resent disturbance, and need to be moist at all times.^[5]

References

1. ^ Les Robinson - Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney, ISBN 9780731812110 page 244
2. ^ ^{a b} New South Wales Flora Online: Cryptostylis erecta by Peter H. Weston, Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia
3. ^ Robert L. Dressler (1993). Phylogeny and classification of the orchid family. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. p. 134. ISBN 0521450586. http://books.google.com.au/books?id=4_xL5qOVa-sC&pg=PA134&dq=cryptostylis&hl=en&ei=hvHpTOmxB4iKvQOE3sHCCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CDwQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=cryptostylis&f=false. Retrieved 22 November 2010. 
4. ^ "Cryptostylis erecta R.Br.". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/apni?taxon_id=34955. 
5. ^ Pridgeon, Alec M., Cribb, P.J., Chase, M.A. & Rasmussen, F. (eds.), ed (2001). Genera Orchidacearum 2. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0198507100. http://books.google.com.au/books?id=jNFvwlGdTEcC&pg=PA118&dq=cryptostylis&hl=en&ei=hvHpTOmxB4iKvQOE3sHCCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCUQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=cryptostylis&f=false. Retrieved 22 November 2010.