Adenochilus
Adenochilus
Adenochilus, commonly known as gnome orchids, is a genus of two species of flowering plants in the orchid family Orchidaceae. One species is endemic to New Zealand, and the other to Australia. These orchids are characterized by a long, horizontal, underground rhizome, a single leaf on the flowering stem, and a single resupinate flower with a distinctive hood-like dorsal sepal.
Key Facts
- ›Genus Adenochilus contains two species of orchids.
- ›One species is found in New Zealand, the other in Australia.
- ›They are terrestrial orchids with underground rhizomes.
- ›Each flowering stem produces a single, resupinate flower.
- ›The dorsal sepal forms a hood over the labellum and column.
- ›The genus name 'Adenochilus' refers to the glandular calli on the lip (labellum).
Gnome Orchids
Terrestrial
About Adenochilus
The genus Adenochilus, commonly known as gnome orchids, encompasses two species of flowering plants belonging to the Orchidaceae family. These orchids are notable for their unique growth habits and floral structures, with one species native to New Zealand and the other to Australia.
Description and Characteristics
Adenochilus orchids are terrestrial, perennial, and deciduous herbs that grow sympodially. They possess a distinctive long, thin, horizontal underground rhizome from which a single leaf emerges, either on a long stalk or attached directly to the flowering stem. The plant produces a single resupinate flower at the end of its flowering stem. A key characteristic of the flower is its dorsal sepal, which is free and forms a hood over the labellum and column. The lateral sepals and petals are free from each other, longer and narrower than the dorsal sepal, and spread widely apart. The labellum is also free and attached to the column by a short stalk, or 'claw'. It is curved and features a narrow central band of yellow calli, which gives the genus its name.
Taxonomy and Naming
The genus Adenochilus was formally described by Joseph Dalton Hooker in 1853, with the description published in Flora Novae-Zelandiae. Hooker also described A. gracilis in the same publication, establishing it as the type species for the genus. The scientific name Adenochilus is derived from the Ancient Greek words 'aden' (gland) and 'cheilos' (lip), a reference to the glandular calli found on the labellum of these species.
Distribution and Habitat
Adenochilus gracilis is widely distributed throughout New Zealand, found on both the North and South Islands, as well as Stewart and Chatham Islands. It typically grows in deep leaf litter found under beech trees and is sometimes observed near wetlands.
Adenochilus nortonii has a more restricted distribution in New South Wales, Australia. It is found at altitudes ranging from 400 to 1,000 meters in areas such as the Blue Mountains, Barrington Tops, and Point Lookout. This species often grows under Antarctic beech trees. Both species are terrestrial, indicating they grow in soil rather than on other plants or rocks.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What are gnome orchids?
Gnome orchids are a genus of two species of flowering plants in the orchid family, known scientifically as Adenochilus. They are distinguished by their underground rhizomes, single leaves, and solitary flowers.
Where do Adenochilus orchids grow?
Adenochilus orchids are found in two main regions: one species is endemic to New Zealand, growing on both the North and South Islands and nearby islands. The other species is found in New South Wales, Australia, particularly in the Blue Mountains and Barrington Tops areas.
What is unique about Adenochilus flowers?
The flowers of Adenochilus are resupinate, meaning they twist during development. A key characteristic is the dorsal sepal, which forms a hood over the labellum and column. The labellum itself is curved and features a narrow central band of yellow calli.
What is the habitat of Adenochilus gracilis?
Adenochilus gracilis is widespread in New Zealand, often found growing in deep leaf litter beneath beech trees. It can also be found growing near wetlands on various New Zealand islands.
What does the name Adenochilus mean?
The genus name Adenochilus is derived from Ancient Greek words. 'Aden' means 'gland' and 'cheilos' means 'lip,' referring to the glandular calli present on the lip of the flowers of these species.
Related Orchid species
Calochilus
Calochilus, commonly known as beard orchids, is a genus of approximately 30 terrestrial orchid species belonging to the family Orchidaceae. These orchids are distinctive for their densely hairy labellum, which gives them their common name. Primarily found in Australia, with some species extending to New Zealand, New Guinea, and New Caledonia, they are terrestrial herbs that typically have a single leaf or are leafless, and reproduce through self-pollination if cross-pollination fails.
Corybas
Corybas, commonly known as helmet orchids, is a genus of about 120 species of small, perennial, terrestrial herbs in the orchid family. Native to a wide range including Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas, these orchids are distinctive for their single, fungus-like flower, dominated by a large dorsal sepal and labellum, often resembling a helmet.
Cryptostylis
Cryptostylis, commonly known as tongue orchids, is a genus of terrestrial orchids found in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the South Pacific. These orchids are distinguished by their prominent labellum, which is the most conspicuous part of the flower, and their unique pollination strategy involving wasps attempting to mate with the flowers. At least some species are pollinated through a process called pseudocopulation, where male wasps mistake the flower for a female wasp.