EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Tongue Orchid of Atherton

Tongue Orchid (Dockrillia linguiformis [prev. Dendrobium linguiforme]), Family Orchidaceae
Atherton, Queensland, Australia

Explanation:  Hanging in delicate sprays of white flowers is the tongue orchid, here in Atherton, Queensland, northeast Australia.  Found throughout the coast ranges of eastern Australia in tropical to temperate environments, it grows as an epiphyte on trees, as shown here, or alternatively as a lithophyte on rocks.  

It derives its common name after its tongue-shaped leaves.  It is easily grown for horticulture.  

They are likely accidentally pollinated early in the season by some wasp species who may mistake the flowering form for a mate and attempt copulation, known as pseudocopulation (Gaskett and Herberstein 2006).

Information:
    Gaskett, A.C. and M.E. Herberstein.  2006.  Flowering, pollination, and fruit set in tongue orchids 'Cryptostylis' spp.  The Victorian Naturalist 123(3):128-133.