Anoectochilus yatesiae

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}

{{Use Australian English|date=July 2024}}

{{Italic title}}

{{Speciesbox

|name = Marbled jewel orchid

|image = Anoectochilus yatesiae 46574903.jpg

|image_caption =

|genus = Anoectochilus

|species = yatesiae

|authority = F.M.Bailey{{cite web|title=Anoectochilus yatesiae|url= https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/93783|publisher=Australian Plant Census|access-date=13 November 2022}}

|synonyms =

}}

Anoectochilus yatesiae, commonly known as the marbled jewel orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to northern Queensland. It has up to six dark green leaves with a network of silvery veins and up to four hairy brownish and white flowers.

Description

Anoectochilus yatesiae is a tuberous, perennial herb with up to six leaves forming a rosette on the end of its fleshy rhizome. The leaves are dark green, broadly egg-shaped to heart-shaped with a network of silvery veins, {{convert|30-60|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|30-40|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide. Up to four brownish flowers {{convert|14-18|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|18-22|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide are borne on a flowering stem {{convert|150-250|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} tall. The dorsal sepal is {{convert|10-12|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long, {{convert|4-5|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} wide and with the petals, forms a hood over the column. The lateral sepals are a similar length to the dorsal sepal but narrower and spread apart from each other. The petals are white, glabrous, {{convert|8-10|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and about {{convert|2|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide. The labellum is upright, white, {{convert|12-15|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long, {{convert|2-3|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide and has about twelve crooked white hairs {{convert|4-7|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long on the narrow section. The nectary spur is about {{convert|5|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long. Flowering occurs from July to September.{{cite book|last1=Jones|first1=David L.|title=A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories|date=2006|publisher=New Holland|location=Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.|isbn=1877069124|page =346}}{{cite web |title=Anoectochilus yatesiae |url=http://www.canbr.gov.au/cpbr/cd-keys/RFKOrchids/key/rfkorchids/Media/Html/Anoectochilus_yatesiae.htm |publisher=Australian National Botanic Gardens |accessdate=2 November 2020}}

Taxonomy and naming

Anoectochilus yatesiae was first formally described in 1907 by Frederick Manson Bailey from specimens collected near Kuranda and the description was published in the Queensland Agricultural Journal.{{cite web|title=Anoectochilus yatesiae|url= https://id.biodiversity.org.au/instance/apni/516924|publisher=APNI|accessdate=30 August 2018}} The specific epithet (yatesiae) honours "Mrs. Arthur Yates", one of the collectors of the type specimen.

Distribution and habitat

The marbled jewel orchid grows in highland rainforest between the Bloomfield River and Paluma Range National Park.

References