Kingdom Plantae Family Orchidaceae Genus Serpenticaulis Higher classification Bulbophyllum | Order Asparagales Subfamily Epidendroideae Scientific name Serpenticaulis bowkettiae Rank Species | |
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Similar Bulbophyllum, Orchids, Bulbophyllum chinense, Bulbophyllum imbricatum, Bulbophyllum caespitosum | ||
Serpenticaulis bowkettiae, the striped snake orchid (previously Bulbophyllum bowkettiae) is a species of orchid from Queensland, Australia. It is found from the McIlwraith Range on Cape York Peninsula in the north, and from Big Tableland to the Tully River, usually at altitudes from 600–1,200 metres (2,000–3,900 ft), but extends into the coastal lowlands to the south of Innisfail.
Description
Thin, creeping rhizomes with widely spaced, deeply grooved pseudobulbs, 7–10 millimetres (0.28–0.39 in) × 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in). Dark green, fleshy, tough and notched leaves, 10–25 mm (0.39–0.98 in) × 8–12 mm (0.31–0.47 in). Thread-like flower stems with curved apexes, 6–10 mm (0.24–0.39 in) long. The nodding flowers appear from April to September and are 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) × 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in); cream with conspicuous red stripes (sometimes all reddish). Labellum about 2.5 mm (0.098 in) long with a deep central groove.
"NOTES: Locally common, grows on trunks and branches of rainforest trees; also on rocks and boulders. RECOG. Leaves small, fleshy, flowers 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) across, nodding, conspicuously striped, labellum about 2.5 mm (0.098 in) long."