simple pauper orchid

Aphyllorchis anomala is a leafless terrestrial, mycotrophic herb that has a fleshy, brittle, shiny dark purple flowering stem with between four and twenty white flowers with purple markings. The flowers are 10–12 mm (0.39–0.47 in) long and wide. The dorsal sepal is 10–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long, about 3 mm (0.12 in) wide and forms a hood over the column. The lateral sepals are a similar size, turn slightly downwards and spread widely apart from each other. The petals are about the same length but slightly narrower and often have twisted tips. The labellum is oblong, 9–11 mm (0.35–0.43 in) long, about 2.5 mm (0.1 in) wide and often has a twisted tip.

The simple pauper orchid grows near sea level in moist, shady rainforest mainly between Rossville and the Atherton Tableland and near Airlie Beach.

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