kids encyclopedia robot

Leafy hyacinth-orchid facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Leafy hyacinth orchid
Dipodium ensifolium.jpg
Scientific classification
Genus:
Dipodium
Species:
ensifolium

Dipodium ensifolium, commonly known as leafy hyacinth-orchid, is an orchid species that is endemic to north-east Queensland. It has sword-shaped leaves and up to twenty pink to mauve flowers with purplish spots and blotches.

Description

Dipodium ensifolium is a tuberous, perennial herb with from one to a few leafy stems 20–100 cm (8–40 in) long with overlapping sword-shaped leaves 120–200 mm (5–8 in) long and about 15 mm (0.6 in) wide. Flowering stems 300–550 mm (10–20 in) long develop in upper leaf axils, each with between two and twenty pink to mauve flowers with purplish spots and blotches, 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) wide. The sepals are 18–25 mm (0.7–1 in) long, about 6 mm (0.2 in) wide and the petals are slightly shorter and narrower. The sepals and petals are free from each other and spread widely apart. The labellum is pink to mauve and projects forwards, 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) long, 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) wide with a narrow central band of mauve hairs. Flowering occurs between October and February.

Taxonomy and naming

Dipodium ensifolium was formally described in 1865 by Ferdinand von Mueller from a specimen collected on rocky mountains near Rockingham Bay. The specific epithet (ensifolium) is derived from the Latin words ensis meaning "sword" and folium meaning "leaf".

Distribution and habitat

The leafy hyacinth orchid grows in forest and woodland between Cooktown and Ingham. Plants develop long, lanky growths except when above ground parts are destroyed by fire, when they quickly produce new growth.

Ecology

The flowers of this orchid are pollinated by small native bees.

Use in horticulture

This orchid is easily grown in pots in warm climates and bright light.

kids search engine
Leafy hyacinth-orchid Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.