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rat-tail orchid
Scientific Name: Bulbophyllum pachyrrachis
Family: Orchidaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names: FL (rattail orchid)
Rat Tail Orchid
"Rat tail orchid" is a common name applied to several orchid species that share a distinctive inflorescence or aerial roots resembling a rat's tail.
Considerations for Pets
- Some Rat Tail Orchids, particularly *Dendrobium* species, have fused leaves and canes forming a solid tube, described as a "Rat Tail".
Scientific Names and Synonyms
- Accepted scientific name: The text refers to several species as "Rat Tail Orchid," including:
- *Dendrobium teretifolium* (synonym *Dockrillia teretifolia*)
- *Bulbophyllum pachyrachis*
- *Dendrobium striolatum*
- *Bulbophyllum echinolabium*
- *Dendrobium dolichophyllum*
- *Dendrobium tenuissimum*
- *Dendrobium mortii*
- *Dendrobium beckleri*
- Other scientific names and synonyms mentioned:
- *Pachyrhachis pineliana* (synonym of *Bulbophyllum pachyrachis*)
- *Pleurothallis pachyrachis* (synonym of *Bulbophyllum pachyrachis*)
- Common names:
- Thin Pencil Orchid (*Dendrobium teretifolium*)
- Bridal Veil Orchid (*Dendrobium teretifolium* and other species)
- Onion Orchid (*Dendrobium canaliculatum*)
- Tea Tree Orchid (*Dendrobium canaliculatum*)
Distribution and Habitat
- *Dendrobium teretifolium* (and *Dockrillia teretifolia*) is found in Queensland and New South Wales (NSW), Australia.
- *Bulbophyllum pachyrachis* is distributed in the West Indies, Central America, South America, and South Florida.
- *Bulbophyllum echinolabium* is found in Sulawesi and Borneo, in riverine to primary forests.
- Specific locations mentioned: Jervis Bay (south-east from Nowra, Australia) for a study of Rat's Tail Orchids, Casuarina glauca trees along the NSW and Queensland coast as a habitat.
- *Paraphalaenopsis labukensis* is found in Borneo.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Some *Dendrobium* species have leaves and canes fused to form a solid tube, described as a "Rat Tail".
- Several Rat Tail Orchids are epiphytes or rarely epiliths, with stems spreading to pendent and wiry. They root mostly at the base but occasionally from more apical locations.
- *Oncidium cebolleta* resembles little scallions (green onions).
- *Bulbophyllum echinolabium* is described as a unifoliate, medium-sized, epiphytic species.