Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Dipodium punctatum (Sm.) R.Br.

Frost-tender, leafless, saprophytic, terrestrial orchid with reddish, usually spotted stems, to 90cm high, and terminal racemes of up to fifty, pink to dark mauve flowers, spotted white, in summer.  [RHSD, Jones, FNSW, Beadle].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘A most curious, leafless, terrestrial Orchidaceous plant, with thick fleshy fibrous roots, and purple spotted flowers; for which I have to thiank the inexhaustible collection of the Messrs. Loddiges.

Dr. Robert Brown found it both in New Holland and Van Diemen’s Land; but it would appear to be rare in the latter island, as Mr. Gunn has sent very little of it home in his rich collections, of which it forms No. 127.  Mr. Allan Cunningham met with it in sandy forest ground in the colony of Port Jackson, and beyond the Blue Mountains, flowering in December.’  [BR f.1980/1837].

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [O.30/1850].

Notes

Dipodium hamiltonianum F.M.Bailey is a form, synonym Dipodium punctatum var. hamiltonianum (Bailey) F.M.Bailey.

Published Jan 26, 2010 - 12:54 PM | Last updated Jul 29, 2010 - 01:10 PM

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Figured are swollen roots and raceme of dark pink flowers spotted red. Botanical Register f.1980, 1837.

Dipodium punctatum (Sm.) R.Br. | BR f.1980/1837 | BHL

Family Orchidaceae
Category
Region of origin

Eastern and southern Australia
Synonyms
  • Dendrobium punctatum Sm.
  • Wailesia punctata (Sm.) G.Nicholson
Common Name

Blotched hyacinth orchid
Name in the Camden Park Record

Dipodium punctatum 
Confidence level high