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Bristly helmet orchid
	Corybas hispidus near Ebor
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Orchidaceae
Subfamily:	Orchidoideae
Tribe:	Diurideae
Genus:	Corybas
Species:	C. hispidus
Binomial name
	Corybas hispidus; (D.L.Jones)
Synonyms
	Corysanthes hispida D.L.Jones D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.

Corybas hispidus, commonly known as the bristly helmet orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to eastern Australia. It is distinguished from other helmet orchids by its autumn to winter flowering period, and by its labellum, which has a bristly-hairy, creamy-white centre and is deeply notched along its top edge.

Description

Corybas hispidus is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous herb with an underground tuber. It has a single dark green leaf that is more or less circular in shape, 15–35 mm (0.59–1.38 in) long and wide and silvery-green or reddish on the lower surface. The single flower is reddish-purple and white with a greenish-grey dorsal sepal with red or dark purple spots. The dorsal sepal is egg-shaped or spoon-shaped, forms a hood over the labellum and is 22–35 mm (0.87–1.38 in) long and 11–18 mm (0.43–0.71 in) wide when flattened. The lateral sepals are linear in shape, 5–9 mm (0.20–0.35 in) long and about 1 mm (0.039 in) wide. The petals are about 5 mm (0.20 in) long and 1 mm (0.039 in) wide, linear in shape except for near their base, which is wing-shaped. The labellum is tube-shaped, 20–30 mm (0.79–1.18 in) long and wide and the edges have many linear teeth. The central "boss" of the labellum is dome-shaped and white with a notch at the top and the surface is covered with short, stiff bristles. Flowering is from March to August.^[2]^[3]^[4]

Taxonomy and naming

Corybas hispidus was first formally described in 1973 by David Jones from a specimen found near the village of Wulgulmerang. The description was published in The Victorian Naturalist.^[1] It was the first of many orchids described by Jones.^[5] The specific epithet (hispidus) is a Latin word meaning "bristly", "rough", "hairy" or "prickly".^[6]

Distribution and habitat

Bristly helmet orchid occurs in south-east Queensland, on the ranges and tablelands of New South Wales and in sheltered sites in far north-eastern Victoria.^[2]^[3]^[4]^[7]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Corybas hispidus". APNI. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
^ ^a ^b Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 171. ISBN 1877069124.
^ ^a ^b Jeanes, Jeff. "Corybas hispidus". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoris: vicflora. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
^ ^a ^b Jones, David L. "Corybas hispidus". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney: plantnet. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
^ "Jones, David Lloyd (1944 - )". Council of the Heads of Australian Herbaria. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
^ Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 391.
^ "Corybas hispidus". Atlas of Living Australia. Retrieved 27 April 2017.