Rhinerrhiza
Introduction '''''Rhinerrhiza divitiflora''''', commonly known as the '''raspy root orchid''', is the only species in the genus '''''Rhinerrhiza''''' from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid with usually only a single stem, many flat, raspy roots, between two and six leathery leaves and up to sixty pale orange flowers with red spots and blotches. The sepals and petals are narrow, thin and pointed. It mainly grows on rainforest trees and is found between the Atherton Tableland in Queensland and the Hunter River in New South Wales.
Description ''Rhinerrhiza divitiflora'' is an epiphytic or lithophytic herb, usually with only a single stiff shoot  long with broad, flat, raspy roots. There are between two and six leathery, dark green, narrow oblong leaves  long and  wide. Between six and sixty pale pale orange flowers with red spots and blotches,  long and wide are borne on pendulous flowering stems  long. The flowers open sporadically and in groups, the sepals and petals spreading widely apart from each other, the sepals  long and  wide. The petals are slightly shorter than the sepals. The labellum is about  long and  wide with three lobes. The side lobes are erect and the middle lobe is short and blunt with a short spur. Flowering occurs from August to November but the flowers only last for one or two days.
Taxonomy and naming The raspy root orchid was first formally described in 1873 by George Bentham after an unpublished description by Ferdinand von Mueller who gave it the name ''Saccolabium divitiflorus'' and published the description in ''Flora Australiensis'' from a specimen collected by Robert D. FitzGerald near the Macleay River. In 1954, Herman Rupp changed the name to ''Rhinerrhiza divitiflora''. The name ''Rhinerrhiza'' is derived from the Ancient Greek words ''rhine'' meaning "file", "rasp" or "shark" and ''rhiza'' meaning "root". The specific epithet is derived from the Latin words ''dives'' meaning "rich" or "wealthy" and ''flos'' meaning "flower".
Distribution and habitat ''Rhinerrhiza divitiflora'' grows on trees in rainforest and other humid forests and sometimes on rocks. It is found between the Atherton Tableland in Queensland and the Hunter River in New South Wales.
See also * List of Orchidaceae genera
References