Rhizanthella
(pronounced: rye-zan-THEL-lah)
Classification
Diurideae subtribe Rhizanthellinae
Etymology
From the Greek rhiza, meaning root, and anthos, meaning flower, as a diminutive of Rhizanthes, a genus of saprophytic Rafflesiaceae in allusion to the saprophytic habit and head-like inflorescences.
Distribution
Two species endemic to Australia.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Both species are obligate subterranean saprophytes and can not be cultivated.
Literature
Annable, T. J. 1989. A new locality for the eastern underground orchid, Rhizanthella slateri. Victorian Nat. 106:43-44. Balogh, P. 1982. Rhizanthella R. S. Rogers, a misunderstood genus (Orchidaceae). Selbyana 7:27-33. Clements, M. and P. Cribb 1984. The underground orchids of Australia. Kew Mag. 1(2):84-91. George, A. S. 1980. Rhizanthella gardneri R. S. Rogers, the underground orchid of Western Australia. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 49:631-646. Riley, J. J. 1994. Rhizanthella slateri (Rupp) Clements et Cribb. Orchadian 11(6):276-277. Rogers, R. S. 1928. A new genus of Australian Orchidaceae. J. Roy. Soc. Western Austral. 55:1-76. Rupp, H. M. R. 1984. The habitat, character and floral structure of Cryptanthemis slateri Rupp (Orchidaceae). Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 50:118-122. Stephenson, A. W. 1997. A new recording of the Eastern Underground Orchid, Rhizanthella slateri, at sea level. Orchadian 12(4):188-189. Warcup, J. H. 1991. The Rhizoctonia endophytes of Rhizanthella (Orchidaceae). Mycol. Res. 95(6):656-659.
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