Glossodia major
Encyclopedia
Glossodia major, commonly known as the Waxlip Orchid is a small terrestrial orchid, found in eastern Australia
. This plant first appeared in scientific literature in 1810, in the Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae authored by the prolific Scottish botanist, Robert Brown
.
Reaching 12–32 cm (4.6–12.8 in) in height, Glossodia major consists of a single herbaceous stem and lanceolate leaf which measures 4 to 15 cm (1.6–6 in) long. One or two flowers appear from August to October. Measuring up to 6 cm (2.4 in) across, they are predominantly purple but occasionally white. The labellum is white at the base.
Glossodia major can be distinguished from the small waxlip orchid (Glossodia minor
) by its larger flowers. The latter species lacks the white base to the labellum.
Glossodia minor is found in the eastern Australia in Queensland and across central and eastern New South Wales, where it reaches as far west as Ardlethan district.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. This plant first appeared in scientific literature in 1810, in the Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae authored by the prolific Scottish botanist, Robert Brown
Robert Brown (botanist)
Robert Brown was a Scottish botanist and palaeobotanist who made important contributions to botany largely through his pioneering use of the microscope...
.
Reaching 12–32 cm (4.6–12.8 in) in height, Glossodia major consists of a single herbaceous stem and lanceolate leaf which measures 4 to 15 cm (1.6–6 in) long. One or two flowers appear from August to October. Measuring up to 6 cm (2.4 in) across, they are predominantly purple but occasionally white. The labellum is white at the base.
Glossodia major can be distinguished from the small waxlip orchid (Glossodia minor
Glossodia minor
Glossodia minor, the Small Waxlip Orchid is a small terrestrial orchid, found in eastern Australia. Usually found near the coast, often in heathland growing on sandstone based soils. It may grow from 5 to 16 cm tall. One or two flowers appear in winter or spring. They are rarely white, but...
) by its larger flowers. The latter species lacks the white base to the labellum.
Glossodia minor is found in the eastern Australia in Queensland and across central and eastern New South Wales, where it reaches as far west as Ardlethan district.