Common name: Slender Onion Orchid
Microtis parviflora R.Br. APNI* Synonyms: Microtis bipulvinaris Nicholls APNI*
Description: Slender to robust terrestrial herb, usually 15–50 cm high.
Leaf 10–40 cm long.
Inflorescence to 50 cm high, 20–50-flowered; pedicels 0.5–1.5 mm long; floral bract ovate, 3–4 mm long, c. 2 mm wide. Flowers rarely scented, green, suberect. Dorsal sepal circular to ovate, 1.5–2.2 mm long, 1.2–2 mm wide, markedly concave below, apex acute. Lateral sepals linear to oblong, deflexed or becoming recurved with age, 1.2–2 mm long, c. 0.8 mm wide. Petals falcate to lanceolate, 1–1.5 mm long, 0.3–0.5 mm wide. Labellum ± cordate, 1–1.8 mm long, 0.3–0.8 mm wide, basal calli ovate, smooth; often with a rugulose patch near the apex which becomes callus-like when dry; margins entire, sometimes undulate. Column with oblong white-tipped lateral appendages.
Flowering: spring–summer.
Distribution and occurrence: Grows in wet places in sclerophyll forest, bogs or damp grassland, often forming extensive colonies; mainly coastal, but inland to West Wyalong district.
NSW subdivisions: NC, CC, SC, NT, CT, CWS
Other Australian states: Qld Vic. Tas. S.A.
Text by R. R. Rowe
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 4 (1993)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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