Calochilus metallicus
{{Short description|Species of orchid}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Metallic beard orchid
| image =
| image_caption =
| genus = Calochilus
| species = metallicus
| authority = D.L.Jones{{WCSP | 223437 | Calochilus metallicus}}
| synonyms =
|}}
Calochilus metallicus, commonly known as the metallic beard orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to Tropical Queensland. It has a single dark green leaf and up to four pale green flowers with a pinkish or reddish "beard" on the labellum.
Description
Calochilus metallicus is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single dark green leaf which is only partially developed at flowering time, {{convert|80-180|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long, {{convert|3-4|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide when fully developed. Up to four pale green flowers with darker markings, {{convert|13-16|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|7-9|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide are borne on a flowering stem {{convert|200-300|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} tall. The dorsal sepal is {{convert|5-6|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long and about {{convert|5|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide. The lateral sepals are a similar length but about narrower. The petals are about {{convert|6|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|2|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide. The labellum is flat, {{convert|12-14|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long, about {{convert|5|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide and green with red markings. The labellum is mostly covered with thin, metallic hairs {{convert|2-3|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long, except for the tip which is hairless. Flowering occurs from December to February but each flower only lasts only a few hours.{{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 =265}}
Taxonomy and naming
Calochilus metallicus was first formally described in 2004 by David Jones and the description was published in The Orchadian from specimens collected near the Wenlock River.{{cite web|title=Calochilus metallicus|url= https://id.biodiversity.org.au/instance/apni/589446|publisher=APNI|accessdate=3 July 2018}} The specific epithet (metallicus) is derived from the Ancient Greek word metallon.{{cite book|last1=Brown|first1=Roland Wilbur|title=The Composition of Scientific Words|date=1956|publisher=Smithsonian Institution Press|location=Washington, D.C.|page = 756}}
Distribution and habitat
The metallic beard orchid grows with grasses in low lying places on Cape York and on islands in the Torres Strait including Moa Island.