Gray, New species of Taeniophyllum from Queensland 
column wings projecting forward, c. 0.4 mm 
long. Anther Cap c. 0.5 x 0.5 mm, with two 
distinct humps. Pollinarium c. 0.5 mm long. 
Pollinia 4, ovoid, in 2 equal sized pairs, 
yellow. Capsule 11.5-12 x 2-3 mm with 5-6 
longitudinal ridges. Figs. 7 & 8. 
Additional specimens examined : Queensland. Cook 
District: Euluma Creek Road, Julatten, Jan 2003, Gray 
BG8424 (CNS); Bushy Creek, Julatten, Aug 1985, Gray 
BG4129 (CNS); Cairns Inlet near White Rock, Jul 2013, 
Ormerod008( CNS). 
Fig. 8. Taeniophyllum triquetroradix. Close-up view 
of a flowering specimen in cultivation showing (i) 
triangular roots with a clear dorsal median ridge, and (ii) 
an inflorescence bearing a flower bud and an open flower 
(Gray BG8424, CNS). Photo: B. Gray. 
Distribution and habitat : Taeniophyllum 
triquetroradix occurs within the Wet Tropics 
of Queensland between Mossman and 
Innisfail (Map 2) from sea level to 400 m. 
Plants have been most commonly found in 
poorly developed, open rainforest, either in 
391 
the understorey or the upper canopy based on 
specimens found on fallen branches; however, 
it has also been recorded at the edge of 
mangroves. Some populations have also been 
observed on trees in open paddocks. 
Phenology : Flowers have been observed 
between July and January. 
Notes: Taeniophyllum triquetroradix is 
probably more common than the number of 
collections indicates because plants are small 
and often overlooked. 
Etymology : The specific epithet refers to the 
roots which are triangular in cross section. 
Acknowledgements 
I am grateful to David Baume for his 
kind help with locating new populations 
of Taeniophyllum epacridicola and T. 
explanatum , and who also assisted me in 
numerous field trips; James Walker for good 
company in the field, testing and commenting 
on the taxonomic key, and his constructive 
criticism with the manuscript. Special thanks 
to Yee Wen Low (Singapore Botanic Gardens) 
and Paul Ormerod (Cairns, Queensland) for 
help with the initial stage of the manuscript. 
Professor Darren Crayn and Frank Zich kindly 
provided me with access to the Australian 
Tropical Herbarium (CNS) to examine the 
Taeniophyllum collection there; Paul Forster 
and the curators of the Queensland herbarium 
(BRI) for making available relevant materials 
on loan for this study. 
References 
Clements, M.A. (1989). Catalogue of Australian 
Orchidaceae. Australian Orchid Research 1: 
1-160. (Taeniophyllum, p. 136). 
Dockrill, A.W. (1992). Australian Indigenous Orchids , 
2 nd edition, 2: 874-886. Surrey Beatty & 
Sons, in association with Society for Growing 
Australian Plants: New South Wales. 
Gray, B. & Jones, D.L. (1984). Miscellaneous notes 
on the orchids of North Eastern Queensland. 
1 - A new species of Bulbophyllum and 
Taeniophyllum. Orchadian 8: 40-43. 
Jones, D.L. (2006). A Complete Guide to Native Orchids 
of Australia, including the Island Territories. 
Reed New Holland: Sydney. ( Taeniophyllum , p. 
453-455). 
