Leptoceras

Taxobox
status = Secure


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regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo = Asparagales
familia = Orchidaceae
subfamilia = Orchidoideae
genus = "Leptoceras"
genus_authority = Lindl.
species = "L. menziesii'
binomial = "Leptoceras menziesii"

"Leptoceras" is a monotypic genus of Orchid found throughout southern states of Australia, its single species is "Leptoceras menziesii". It is found in large colonies, each plant reaching a height of between 100 to 300 mm. The flowers appear between September and November, especially after a bushfire, and are of a very small size. Each of these has forward-facing white lateral sepals, and a pink and white and hood shaped central structure which may be striated. The petals, often deep red, are relatively long and erect, their appearance inspiring the common name of Rabbit Orchid. It is found in winter-wet areas, particularly on granitic soils and near creeks.

The only species for this genus, "Leptoceras menziesii", was first described by Robert Brown, naming it "Caladenia menziesii" after Archibald Menzies. Menzies was the collector of the holotype at King George Sound in Western Australia, during his visit in 1791. In 1840 John Lindley transferred the species from "Caladenia" to "Leptoceras" in "The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants": 416.

References

*FloraBase|name="Leptoceras menziesii"|id=15418
*APNI | name = "Leptoceras menziesii" | id = 5635
*cite book |last= Liddelow|first= Bob|authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title= Guide to Native Orchids of South Western Australia|edition= |series= |date= |year=2006 |month= |publisher= |location= |language= |isbn=0 9587532 4 5 |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= p. 116|chapter= |chapterurl= |quote=