Rhizanthella
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Rhizanthella gardneri
Rhizanthella slateri
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Rhizantella R.S.Rogers 1928 is a small epiparasitic, subterranean Australian genus, belonging to the orchid family (Orchidaceae).
It consists of only two species
- Rhizanthella gardneri R.S. Rogers 1928 (type species) : Gardner's Underground Orchid
- Rhizanthella slateri (Rupp) M.A. Clem. & P.J. Cribb 1984 : Eastern Underground Orchid
These achlorophyllous orchids are are and considered vulnerable. They live underground in symbiosis with fungi. The rhizomes are short and thickened, without roots.
Only as flowering is approaching, the solitary inflorescences just break through the surface, beneath the leaf litter, giving rise to a cluster of small, tubular flowers. The flowerheads are about 5 cm wide and contain numerous, small flowers.
Reference works
- George, A. S. (1981). Rhizanthella-The Underground Orchid of Western Australia. Proceedings of the Orchid Symposium, 13th International Botanical Congress 77-78.
- Dixon, K. W., et al. (1990). The Western Australian fully subterranean orchid Rhizanthella gardneri. Orchid Biology, Reviews and Perspectives. V. J. Arditti. Portland, Oregon, Timber Press. 5: 37-62.