Eulophia picta

Eulophia picta (R.Br.) Ormerod

Cymbidium pictum; Geodorum pictum; Geodorum semicristatum; Geodorum pacificum; Geodorum neocaledonicum; Geodorum terrestre; Tropidia grandis

Bent orchid

Robert Brown in Prodromus florae Novae Hollandiae et insulae Van-Diemen, exhibens characteres plantarum quas annis 1802-1805: 331 (1810) as Cymbidium pictum

Kimberley region, Charnley River (Beverley Springs) and Pantijan Stations, north of the Mitchell Plateau and Theda Station, growing in seasonally moist forests and humus rich sites in river gullies and gorges, sometimes within the spray drift from waterfalls. The species is also found in the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, tropical Asia, New Guinea, Philippines, Japan and many Pacific islands including Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and New Caledonia.

Jan Feb · · · · · · · · · Dec

A distinctive leafy species 200–400 mm high with three to five broad, smooth, ribbed leaves 150–370 mm long by 40–80 mm wide and up to 20 pale pink, rarely white flowers 18–20 mm across. The distinctive inflorescence is hooked like a shepherd’s crook when plants are flowering but straightens as the prominently ribbed seed capsules develop.

It is distinguished from the related Kimberley Grass Orchid (Eulophia bicallosa) by its bent rather than erect inflorescence, more colourful flowers and less prominent labellum.

Not Listed