Eulophia speciosa

Eulophia speciosa is a species of terrestrial orchid found from Ethiopia to South Africa and in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The plants usually grow in grasslands in sandy soils or in clay.[1]

Eulophia speciosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Eulophia
Species:
E. speciosa
Binomial name
Eulophia speciosa
Synonyms

See text

Description

The fleshy, lanceolate leaves arise from underground corms/pseudobulbs.[1] The leafless flowering shoot is about 0.4-0.8 m (up to 1.2m[2]) tall, with up to 30 comparatively large flowers in an unbranched raceme.[1] The flowers measure about 25–45 mm in diameter, and are yellow with red markings on the lip of the side lobes.[1]

Conservation and uses

This species is common in most parts of its distribution range in southern Africa,[1] however it does make a good garden plant[2] and is vulnerable to collectors. In South Africa, all orchids are protected by law and the plants must not be removed from the wild without a permit; only nursery-grown plants can be cultivated legally.[1] These plants are used in African tradition as an emetic and as a protective charm against storms.[2]

  • Eulopia speciosa from Amanzimtoti, South Africa
  • Close-up of a flower
  • 'Fruit' of Eulophia speciosa

Synonyms

Lissochilus speciosus R.Br. ex Lindl. is the basionym. Other synonyms include:

  • Cymbidium giganteum (L.f.) Sw.
  • Cyrtopera gigantea (L.f.) Lindl.
  • Epidendrum giganteum (L.f.) Poir
  • Eulophia austrooccidentalis Sölch
  • Eulophia brevisepala (Rendle) Summerh.
  • Eulophia caloptera (Rchb.f.) Summerh.
  • Eulophia coutreziana Geerinck
  • Eulophia dispersa N.E.Br.
  • Eulophia granitica (Rchb.f.) Cufod.
  • Eulophia homblei (De Wild.) Butzin
  • Eulophia leucantha (Kraenzl.) Sölch
  • Eulophia sapinii De Wild.
  • Eulophia speciosa var. culveri Schltr.
  • Eulophia volkensii (Rolfe) Butzin
  • Eulophia wakefieldii (Rchb.f. & S.Moore) Summerh.
  • Limodorum giganteum (L.f.) Thunb.
  • Lissochilus brevisepalus Rendle
  • Lissochilus calopterus Rchb.f.
  • Lissochilus dispersus (N.E.Br.) Rolfe
  • Lissochilus graniticus Rchb.f.
  • Lissochilus hereroensis Kraenzl.
  • Lissochilus homblei De Wild.
  • Lissochilus leucanthus Kraenzl.
  • Lissochilus rendlei Rolfe
  • Lissochilus sapinii De Wild.
  • Lissochilus speciosus var. culveri (Schltr.) Rolfe
  • Lissochilus volkensii Rolfe
  • Lissochilus wakefieldii Rchb.f. & S.Moore
  • Satyrium giganteum L.f.

References
  1. http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantefg/eulophspec.htm, retrieved 6 November 2010.
  2. Pooley, E. (1998). A Field Guide to Wild Flowers; KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. ISBN 0-620-21500-3.


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