Petalochilus

Petalochilus was one of the genera in the Orchidaceae family proposed in 2001 by DL Jones, MA Clements, IK Sharma, and AM Mackenzie in a paper entitled A new classification of Caladenia R.Br. (Orchidaceae). In that paper they proposed splitting Caladenia into six genera. This paper was followed by many others, some in support, some suggesting subgenera status, and others advocating keeping these species in Caladenia. This genus was never widely accepted and further taxonomic work by MA Clements, CG Howard CG1, and JT Miller published in 2015 did not support recognition of this genus as previously proposed. For historical purposes and to avoid confusion we are keeping this page, but adding these species pictured below to the Caladenia wiki page. Flowers in this genus have short broad segments with pink or white petals, a narrow leaf, and a lip with rows of free calli. It is very like Stegostyla except that the flowers are not glandular outside and the dorsal sepal is sub­erect. The column often has red bars and the calli are smooth. The common name of this group is Fingers.

The Australian terrestrial orchids are notoriously challenging to grow, although some enthusiasts are starting to achieve success by cultivating the symbiotic fungus that many of the orchids require in order to grow. Very careful fertilization is required to keep the fungus and orchid in balance. There's a good discussion of the relationship by clicking on mycorrhiza here.


Petalochilus carneus (R.Br.) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem., syn. Caladenia carnea R.Br., or Pink Fingers occurs in almost all Australian states, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Indonesia and Malaysia. It is very variable in size (5 cm to 25 cm high) and color ranging from white to pale pink to deep pink. It occurs in many different habitats. The rear sepal is erect and the four other segments spread forwards like the fingers of a hand. It has 1 to 4 flowers on a wiry scape that are 2 to 3 cm across. The lip has dark red bars and two rows of yellow calli. Photographs taken October 2007 in the Grampians by Mary Sue Ittner.

Petalochilus carneus, Grampians, Mary Sue IttnerPetalochilus carneus, Grampians, Mary Sue IttnerPetalochilus carneus, Grampians, Mary Sue IttnerPetalochilus carneus, Grampians, Mary Sue Ittner

Petalochilus pusillus (W.M.Curtis) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. syn. Caladenia pusilla W.M.Curtis or Tiny Fingers is a species that is quite small. It is found in southeastern Australian states growing in heathland or open forest in sandy soils. Photographs taken October 2007 near Apollo Bay by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner.

Petalochilus pusillus, Apollo Bay, Bob RutemoellerPetalochilus pusillus, Apollo Bay, Mary Sue IttnerPetalochilus pusillus, Apollo Bay, Mary Sue Ittner

See PBS wiki pages for these genera that have been split and included in Caladenia :
Arachnorchis, Cyanicula, Drakonorchis, Jonesiopsis, Stegostyla


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Page last modified on July 01, 2017, at 01:21 PM
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