About Zeuxine oblonga R.S.Rogers & C.T.White
Zeuxine oblonga (common jewel orchid) is a terrestrial, tuberous, perennial herb. It produces between three and seven dark green, narrow egg-shaped leaves that each measure 40–80 mm (2–3 in) long and 20–30 mm (0.8–1 in) wide; these leaves form a loose rosette. Between five and thirty resupinate, dull green and white flowers, around 4 mm (0.2 in) long and 3 mm (0.1 in) wide, are crowded onto a fleshy, hairy, pinkish flowering stem that is 100–300 mm (4–10 in) tall. The outer surface of the flowers is hairy. The dorsal sepal is around 4 mm (0.2 in) long and 2 mm (0.08 in) wide, and overlaps the petals to form a hood over the column. The dorsal sepal is green with pink edges, the lateral sepals are green, and the petals are white. The lateral sepals and petals are each around 3 mm (0.1 in) long and 1.5 mm (0.06 in) wide, with the lateral sepals spreading apart from one another. The labellum is white, around 4 mm (0.2 in) long and 3.5 mm (0.1 in) wide, and has two lobes at its end. Flowering takes place from July to September. This species is endemic to northern Australia, and has been recorded in the far north-east of Western Australia, between the Keep and Adelaide Rivers in the Northern Territory, and from Cape York Peninsula in Queensland to Coffs Harbour in New South Wales. It typically grows in colonies on dark, moist sites on rainforest floors, and is locally common in swampy areas with peaty soils alongside streams.
