Kingdom Plantae Family Orchidaceae Scientific name Cryptostylis erecta | Order Asparagales Genus Cryptostylis Rank Species | |
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Similar Cryptostylis, Cryptostylis subulata, Cryptostylis hunteriana, Dipodium variegatum, Lissopimpla excelsa | ||
Cryptostylis erecta, commonly known as the Bonnet Orchid or Tartan Tongue Orchid , is an orchid native to south eastern Australia.
A small and common plant, up to 40 cm (15.5 in) tall, Cryptostylis erecta has prominent dark green spear-shaped (lanceolate) to ovate leaves that are 6–13 cm (2.5–5 in) in length and 1.3–3 cm (0.51–1.18 in) across, the undersides of which are purple. The inflorescences (flower spikes) appear from spring to autumn (September to April) and bear two to twelve individual flowers. Each flower has a prominent hood- or bonnet-shaped labellum with maroon stripes and markings on lilac. Its dimensions can reach 2–3.5 cm (0.79–1.38 in) high and 1–1.5 cm (0.39–0.59 in) wide. Arising around the labellum are the green 1.8 to 2.5 cm (0.71 to 0.98 in) long sepals. The natural habitat is on sandy soils, dry eucalyptus woodlands and heathlands. Cryptostylis erecta occurs mostly in coastal districts, although it is also found in the Upper Blue Mountains.
Like other Australian members of its genus, it is pollinated by the ichneumon wasp known as the orchid dupe wasp (Lissopimpla excelsa), the males of which mistake the flower parts for female wasps and copulate with it.
In 1810, the species originally appeared in the scientific literature, Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae, authored by the prolific Scottish botanist, Robert Brown.
Cryptostylis erecta has been successfully grown by orchid enthusiasts, but is slow growing. The rhizomes are delicate and resent disturbance, and need to be moist at all times.