Liparis habenarina

Liparis habenarina is a terrestrial, deciduous herb with two underground pseudobulbs, each of which lasts for one season. There are usually three, thin, pleated, egg-shaped leaves 100–250 mm (4–10 in) and 20–40 mm (0.8–2 in) wide with five obvious veins. Between eight and twenty two brownish to purplish flowers, 10–25 mm (0.4–1 in) long and 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) wide are borne on an upright flowering stem 150–600 mm (6–20 in) long. The dorsal sepal is 5–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) long, 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 in) wide and turns downward. The lateral sepals are 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long, 1–3 mm (0.04–0.1 in) wide and joined to each other. The petals are a similar length but only about 1 mm (0.04 in) wide and curve downwards. The labellum is egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base and curves downwards. It is 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and 2–4 mm (0.08–0.2 in) wide with two ridges near its base, a greenish centre and wavy edges. Flowering occurs between January and May.

Liparis habenarina grows with grasses in the understorey of forests, usually near the edge of swamps in near-coastal areas. It is found in New South Wales north from Coffs Harbour, in coastal Queensland, the Northern Territory and the Northern Kimberley biogeographic region of Western Australia. Authorities using the name Empusa habenarina list the range as extending to New Guinea and Indonesia.

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