The Victorian naturalist . ded for Victoria. Vict. : 273-281. November, 1968 325 Abnormality in Leptoceras fimbriatum (Lindl.) Photographs by R. G. Richardson Abnormal specimens of Leptocerasfimbriatum Lindl were collected bythe author on Mount Ingoldsby atAnglesea, on 23 April, 1967. Theplants were located amongst normalflowers in a colony numbering morethan 200 individuals, In all, 28 plantswere flowering; 21 of which exhibiteddouble heads—a total of 49 is an unsually high number forthis orchid, as generally only oddplants in the colonies flower. However,the increase was p
The Victorian naturalist . ded for Victoria. Vict. : 273-281. November, 1968 325 Abnormality in Leptoceras fimbriatum (Lindl.) Photographs by R. G. Richardson Abnormal specimens of Leptocerasfimbriatum Lindl were collected bythe author on Mount Ingoldsby atAnglesea, on 23 April, 1967. Theplants were located amongst normalflowers in a colony numbering morethan 200 individuals, In all, 28 plantswere flowering; 21 of which exhibiteddouble heads—a total of 49 is an unsually high number forthis orchid, as generally only oddplants in the colonies flower. However,the increase was probably due to acarryover effect of the bushflre whichswept the area in 1965. The responseof this orchid to such a stimulus isamazing. While studying the flowers, it wasnoticed that one with a single head,had multiple labellum observation showed that in allthree segments were present. A large Double-flowered Leptoceras; normal flower(upper), abnormal flower lower right. The 3labella are easily 326 by David L. Jones segment at the bottom of the tiersuggested a normal labellum, exceptfor a niche missing from one this corner just above the niche wasanother much smaller segment; almosta perfect replica of a labellum inminiature. Comparison suggested thatthe smaller segment fitted into theniche on the larger labellum, but itwas obvious that the two segmentshad developed seperately. Close in atthe base of the column a third, verytiny segment, was visible. Obviouslythis was of labellum tissue because ofthe prominent markings, and the typeof tissue of this organ. After this find, a closer scrutiny ofother plants in the colony revealedanother flower aberrant in a similarway. The plant in question had twoflowers, one of which was normalwhile the other had three labellumsegments as before. In this case, how-ever, the hand lens revealed that threeperfectly formed labella were present,with no suggestion of distortion. Thebottom central segment was th
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