COOKTOWN ORCHID

The Cooktown orchid, Dendrobium phalaenopsis, is the state flower of Queensland.

Originally thought to be Dendrobium bigibbum, the correct botanical name for the Cooktown orchid has been the subject of speculation and debate.

In fact, when the Cooktown orchid was proclaimed the floral emblem of Queensland in 1959, it was under the botanical name of Dendrobium bigibbum var phalaenopsis. But it appeared that when British botanist John Lindley (1799-1865) named the plant, it was not to be found near Cooktown, the north Queensland town after which the orchid was named.

In 1880, New South Wales Surveyor General Robert FitzGerald described Dendrobium phalaenopsis as "obtained near Cooktown." A color plate of the orchid, which he published in December that year, is said to clearly illustrate the plant now known as the Cooktown orchid which FitzGerald described as "obtained in northern Queensland."

Reference: http://goaustralia.about.com/od/australianewzealand/ss/national-and-state-flowers_5.htm  Downloaded 15 May 2012