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Eulophia speciosa

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Species of orchid

Eulophia speciosa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Eulophia
Species: E. speciosa
Binomial name
Eulophia speciosa
(R.Br. ex Lindl.) Bolus
Synonyms

See text

Eulophia speciosa is a species of terrestrial orchid found from Ethiopia to South Africa and in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The plants usually grow in grasslands in sandy soils or in clay.

Description

The fleshy, lanceolate leaves arise from underground corms/pseudobulbs. The leafless flowering shoot is about 0.4-0.8 m (up to 1.2m) tall, with up to 30 comparatively large flowers in an unbranched raceme. The flowers measure about 25–45 mm in diameter, and are yellow with red markings on the lip of the side lobes.

Conservation and uses

This species is common in most parts of its distribution range in southern Africa, however it does make a good garden plant and is vulnerable to collectors. In South Africa, all orchids are protected by law and the plants must not be removed from the wild without a permit; only nursery-grown plants can be cultivated legally. These plants are used in African tradition as an emetic and as a protective charm against storms.

Gallery

  • Eulopia speciosa from Amanzimtoti, South Africa Eulopia speciosa from Amanzimtoti, South Africa
  • Close-up of a flower Close-up of a flower
  • 'Fruit' of Eulophia speciosa 'Fruit' of Eulophia speciosa

Synonyms

Lissochilus speciosus R.Br. ex Lindl. is the basionym. Other synonyms include:

  • Cymbidium giganteum (L.f.) Sw.
  • Cyrtopera gigantea (L.f.) Lindl.
  • Epidendrum giganteum (L.f.) Poir
  • Eulophia austrooccidentalis Sölch
  • Eulophia brevisepala (Rendle) Summerh.
  • Eulophia caloptera (Rchb.f.) Summerh.
  • Eulophia coutreziana Geerinck
  • Eulophia dispersa N.E.Br.
  • Eulophia granitica (Rchb.f.) Cufod.
  • Eulophia homblei (De Wild.) Butzin
  • Eulophia leucantha (Kraenzl.) Sölch
  • Eulophia sapinii De Wild.
  • Eulophia speciosa var. culveri Schltr.
  • Eulophia volkensii (Rolfe) Butzin
  • Eulophia wakefieldii (Rchb.f. & S.Moore) Summerh.
  • Limodorum giganteum (L.f.) Thunb.
  • Lissochilus brevisepalus Rendle
  • Lissochilus calopterus Rchb.f.
  • Lissochilus dispersus (N.E.Br.) Rolfe
  • Lissochilus graniticus Rchb.f.
  • Lissochilus hereroensis Kraenzl.
  • Lissochilus homblei De Wild.
  • Lissochilus leucanthus Kraenzl.
  • Lissochilus rendlei Rolfe
  • Lissochilus sapinii De Wild.
  • Lissochilus speciosus var. culveri (Schltr.) Rolfe
  • Lissochilus volkensii Rolfe
  • Lissochilus wakefieldii Rchb.f. & S.Moore
  • Satyrium giganteum L.f.

References

  1. ^ http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantefg/eulophspec.htm Archived 23 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 6 November 2010.
  2. ^ Pooley, E. (1998). A Field Guide to Wild Flowers; KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. ISBN 0-620-21500-3.

External links

Taxon identifiers
Eulophia speciosa
Lissochilus speciosus


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