Plectorrhiza purpurata (Rupp) M.A.M.Renner APNI* Synonyms: Schistotylus purpuratus (Rupp) Dockrill APNI*
Description: Epiphyte with 1 shoot, often suspended by 1 or a few of the numerous, tangled roots, pendent; stems 0.4–3 cm long.
Leaves linear to narrow-elliptic, 2–6 cm long, 2–3.5 mm wide, dark green, often with purple spotting.
Inflorescence 2–4 cm long, 3–8-flowered, pendent; pedicel plus ovary 3–5 mm long. Flowers strongly cupped, intensely fragrant; dorsiventral dimension of flower conspicuously greater than lateral dimension. Sepals and lateral petals ovate, the laterals asymmetrically so, green with heavy purple marking; dorsal sepal c. 3.0 mm long. Labellum white with some yellow markings; midlobe c. 1.2 mm long, triangular; lateral lobes c. 0.8 mm long, falcate-triangular; spur c. 3.0 mm long, slightly curved. Column c. 2.5 mm long.
Flowering: August–November
Distribution and occurrence: Grows in rainforest, and swampy heath, on the outer twigs of trees; north from the Carrai Plateau, on the coastal ranges and escarpment, between 600 and 900 m alt.
NSW subdivisions: NC
Other Australian states: Qld
Previously known as Schistotylus purpuratus (Rupp) Dockrill., see Renner (2019) for an explanation of how names for this species have changed since its first description.
Text by P. H. Weston, updated by M.A.M. Renner (Oct 2019).
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 4 (1993) Renner MAM (2019) A nomenclatural history for Plectorrhiza purpurata (Orchidaceae). Telopea 22: 157–159.
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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