Erect Plectorrhiza

Plectorrhiza erecta is an erect epiphytic or lithophytic herb with many long, tangled, cord-like aerial roots at the base of a stem 100–600 millimetres (3.9–24 in) long. There are many bright green, more or less fleshy, leathery, narrow egg-shaped to oblong leaves 30–45 millimetres (1.2–1.8 in) long and 12–18 millimetres (0.47–0.71 in) wide. Between two and five yellowish orange flowers with purplish brown blotches, 8–10 millimetres (0.31–0.39 in) long and 6–8 millimetres (0.24–0.31 in) wide are borne on a flowering stem 30–40 millimetres (1.2–1.6 in) long. The sepals and petals are fleshy, 3–4 millimetres (0.12–0.16 in) long, about 1 millimetre (0.039 in) wide and curved inwards. The labellum is white to cream-coloured, about 6 millimetres (0.24 in) long, 4 millimetres (0.16 in) wide with hairy side lobes and a blunt middle lobe. The middle lobe has a straight spur about 2 millimetres (0.079 in) long and the column is purple. Flowering occurs from October to December.

Plectorrhiza erecta grows near the ground on the fibrous bark of trees and shrubs with its roots spreading over the bark, leaf litter and nearby rocks. It is found near the coast and at altitudes of up to 530 metres (1,700 ft) on Lord Howe Island.

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