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December 11, 2008 : Corycium orobanchoides
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Plant Family / Families: Orchidaceae
Scientific Name and Author: Corycium orobanchoides (L.f.) Sw.
Institution: Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden
Name Location: Worcester, Western Cape, South Africa
Jackie Chambers, UBC BG Horticulturist, shares a second entry and photograph with us this week:
In stark contrast to the bright showy blooms surrounding it, the dense spike of greenish-yellow and black flowers of Corycium orobanchoides, or monkshood orchid, demanded my attention.
In general, orchid flowers have three sepals and three petals (collectively referred to as tepals); the third petal is often a specialized structure called the lip, which is modified in various ways to attract pollinators. In the case of Corycium orobanchoides, the three upper tepals form a hood, the lateral tepals are almost joined, and the lip is transformed into shield-like appendage with long horizontal lobes pointed backward that spread over the anthers (see Aluka for a detailed diagram of Corycium orobanchoides flower structure). The flower lip has oil-secreting glands called elaiophores, which attract an oil-collecting bee (Rediviva peringueyi) to pollinate the flower. Research suggests that the bees use the oil to feed to larvae.
Corycium orobanchoides is a tuberous perennial, which can reach 45cm in height. The species name orobanchoides literally means "like Orobanche", and refers to the flower spike's resemblance to some members of the genus Orobanche.
Monkshood orchid is native to flat, sandy areas of the southwestern cape. This plant was spotted at the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden.
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at December 11, 2008 11:39 PM
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Comments
Posted by: Bonnie at December 12, 2008 2:44 AM
This is a great species! I was at first very surprised, because the family names says "Rosaceae", and that would have been really unusual. Maybe that could be changed to "Orchidaceae" - but still a magnificent plant!
Posted by: Rainer Bussmann at December 12, 2008 5:21 AM
Yes, it's been changed. Late night, what can I say.
Posted by: Daniel Mosquin 
at December 12, 2008 7:41 AM
"A rose by any other name ..."?
Posted by: Michael F at December 12, 2008 8:50 AM
i have been touring the karoo
desert nbg a fine tour indeed
and they have a forest of
mini quiver trees do we have one ruth
i allow late nights glass of wine
milk and cookies thank you daniel
Posted by: elizabeth a airhart at December 12, 2008 4:57 PM
Please share your comments about the photograph(s) and accompanying write-up. Telling a story about the subject of the photograph(s) is also much appreciated! If you have a gardening question, the best place to ask is on the UBC Botanical Garden Forums. Thank you!
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Botany Photo of the Day is a project of the UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research, located in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada. UBC BGCPR is a department of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems within The University of British Columbia.
I see a resemblance to a Pineapple!