lyperanthus

Illustration of fourteen West Australian orchids, by Emily Pelloe.

Lyperanthus, [lie-per-an-thuss] from lyperos, mournful, and anthos, a flower; referring to the sombre appearance of the best known species, Lyperanthus nigricans, when dried.

A genus of about 12 species closely allied to Caladenia and extending to New Zealand and New Caledonia. Stems two or more-flowered, either with one radical leaf, or two or three almost leaf-like empty bracts, or with about two stem-leaves. The flowers which have the appearance of coarse spider orchids, are produced from sheathing bracts, and have the upper sepal broad and hooded.

Fitzgerald considered Lyperanthus an unsatisfactory inter-mediate genus, stating that it was “erroneously described by Bentham as producing small underground tubers, whereas the roots of Lyperanthus nigricans are clustered, thick and fleshy.”

Lyperanthus Species in Western Australia

Lyperanthus Forrestii, named in honour of Lord Forrest.  ... Read more