Thelasis carinata
{{Short description|Species of orchid}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Triangular fly orchid
| image = Thelasis carinata, the Keeled Thelasis (14360664511).jpg
| image_caption =
| status_system =
| status =
| genus = Thelasis
| species = carinata
| authority = Blume{{WCSP |203610 |Thelasis carinata}}
| synonyms =
{{collapsible list|bullets = true
|title=Synonyms
| Phreatia carinata (Blume) Miq.
| Eria carinata (Blume) Rchb.f. in B.Seemann nom. illeg.
| Oxyanthera carinata (Blume) Schltr.
| Euproboscis griffithii Rchb.f.
| Thelasis elata Hook.f.
| Oxyanthera elata (Hook.f.) Hook.f.
| Oxyanthera papuana Schltr. in K.M.Schumann & C.A.G.Lauterbach
| Thelasis carinata f. semipelorica J.J.Sm.
| Thelasis papuana (Schltr.) W.Kittr.
}}
}}
Thelasis carinata, commonly known as the triangular fly orchid,{{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 =476}} is a plant in the orchid family. It is a clump-forming epiphyte or lithophyte that lacks pseudobulbs. There are groups of between two and six erect, flattened stems each with up to six leaves that have a ridged lower surface. Up to fifteen green and white flowers are arranged on a thin but stiff flowering stem. This orchid is found from Thailand to the southwest Pacific.File:LR076 72dpi Thelasis carinata.jpg]]
Description
Thelasis carinata is an epiphytic or lithophytic herb with thin roots and flattened stems {{convert|20-50|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long in groups of between two and six. Each stem has between three and six dark green, narrow oblong leaves {{convert|200-300|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|25-28|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} wide. The leaves have a ridge on their lower side and their lower end sheaths the stem. Between six and fifteen green and white resupinate flowers {{convert|5-7|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|3-4|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} wide are arranged along a thin but stiff flowering stem {{convert|200-400|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long emerging from a leaf axil. The flowers are self-pollinating, tube-shaped near their bases and have an ovary that is triangular in cross section. The sepals are {{convert|4-6|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|1.5|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} wide, the lateral sepals about {{convert|4|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|1-1.5|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} wide and the petals are shorter and narrower than the sepals. The labellum is about {{convert|4|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|2.5|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} wide and curves downwards. Flowering occurs between April and June.{{cite web |author1=D.L.Jones |author2=T.Hopley |author3=S.M.Duffy |author1-link=David L. Jones (botanist) |year=2010 |access-date=30 May 2021 |url=http://www.canbr.gov.au/cpbr/cd-keys/RFKOrchids/key/rfkorchids/Media/Html/Thelasis_carinata.htm |title=Factsheet - Thelasis carinata |website=Australian Tropical Rainforest Orchids |publisher=Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government}}{{cite web |title=Thelasis carinata |url=http://www.orchidsnewguinea.com/orchid-information/species/speciescode/1038 |publisher=Orchids of New Guinea |accessdate=18 January 2019}}
Taxonomy and naming
Thelasis carinata was first formally described in 1825 by Carl Ludwig Blume who published the description in Bijdragen tot de flora van Nederlandsch Indië.{{cite web|title=Thelasis carinata|url= https://id.biodiversity.org.au/instance/apni/521069|publisher=APNI|accessdate=18 January 2019}}{{cite book |last1=Blume |first1=Carl Ludwig |title=Bijdragen tot de flora van Nederlandsch Indië (Part 7) |date=1825 |location=Batavia |page=386 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/9224#page/104/mode/1up |accessdate=18 January 2019}} The specific epithet (carinata) is a Latin word meaning "keeled".{{cite book|last1=Brown|first1=Roland Wilbur|title=The Composition of Scientific Words|date=1956|publisher=Smithsonian Institution Press|location=Washington, D.C.|page=661}}
Distribution and habitat
The triangular fly orchid usually grows on rocks and trees in humid, well-lit situations. It is found in Thailand, Borneo, Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands, Peninsular Malaysia, Maluku Islands, the Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Queensland, Australia, New Caledonia and Samoa. In Queensland it occurs between the Iron Range and McIlwraith Range.{{cite web |title=Thelasis carinata |url=http://endemia.nc/en/flore/fiche8231 |publisher=Flora and Fauna of new Caledonia |accessdate=18 January 2019}}
References
{{Commons}}
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Category:Plants described in 1825
Category:Flora of Christmas Island
Category:Orchids of Papua New Guinea
Category:Orchids of the Philippines