Orchids

There are about 30,000 species of orchid worldwide making Orchidaceae the largest family of flowering plants. They are found in a diverse range of habitats.

Orchids have distinctive flowers, consisting of three sepals and three petals. The third petal is greatly modified into a specialised structure known as a labellum. Another distinctive feature is the column, a fusion of the sexual parts of the flower (stamens and style) into a fleshy structure. Most terrestrial orchids grow from a tuber which is replaced each year.

Some orchids are designated as rare and endangered plants. Others, although reasonably common, are very localised in their occurence. All orchids are protected species and should not be disturbed in their native habitat. For these reasons all orchids have been included as rare or sensitive plants.

Orchids

Featured sightings

Sarcochilus falcatus (Orange Blossum Orchid) at Monga, NSW - 12 Oct 2024 by Csteele4

Prasophyllum elatum (Tall Leek Orchid) at Jerrawangala, NSW - 30 Sep 2024 by Csteele4

Dockrillia striolata (Streaked Rock Orchid) at Porters Creek, NSW - 21 Sep 2024 by Clarel

Sarcochilus falcatus (Orange Blossum Orchid) at Jamberoo, NSW - 31 Aug 2024 by Smithsay

Corunastylis pumila (Green Midge Orchid) at Eurobodalla National Park - 6 Feb 2024 by NedJohnston

Cryptostylis erecta (Bonnet Orchid) at Parma Creek Nature Reserve - 6 Jan 2024 by RobG1

Caleana major (Large Duck Orchid) at Jervis Bay, JBT - 3 Oct 2023 by NedJohnston

Dockrillia striolata (Streaked Rock Orchid) at Jerrawangala, NSW - 15 Sep 2023 by Harrisi

Latest sightings

Cryptostylis hunteriana (Leafless Tongue Orchid) at Kianga, NSW by amarsh

Calochilus campestris (Copper Beard Orchid) at Tianjara, NSW by RobG1

Dockrillia striolata (Streaked Rock Orchid) at Tantawangalo, NSW by mahargiani

Dockrillia linguiformis (Thumb-nail Orchid) at Jervis Bay Village, JBT by Maxxy167

Dockrillia striolata (Streaked Rock Orchid) at Jervis Bay Village, JBT by Maxxy167

Thelychiton speciosa var. speciosa (Sydney Rock Orchid) at Jervis Bay Village, JBT by Maxxy167

Dipodium variegatum (Blotched Hyacinth Orchid) at Narrawallee, NSW by Clarel

Cryptostylis subulata (Cow Orchid) at Narrawallee, NSW by Clarel

Cryptostylis erecta (Bonnet Orchid) at Ulladulla, NSW by Clarel

Cymbidium suave (Snake Orchid) at Ulladulla, NSW by Clarel

Cryptostylis erecta (Bonnet Orchid) at Surf Beach, NSW by rainer

Dipodium punctatum (Blotched Hyacinth Orchid) at Jamberoo, NSW by nancyp

Paraprasophyllum wilkinsoniorum at Tantawangalo, NSW by Csteele4

Cryptostylis erecta (Bonnet Orchid) at Moruya, NSW by LisaH

Dockrillia teretifolia (A Rat's Tail Orchid) at East Lynne, NSW by plants

Cryptostylis subulata (Cow Orchid) at Mundamia, NSW by Csteele4

Sarcochilus hillii (Morrison's Tree-orchid, or Myrtle Bells) at Jamberoo, NSW by plants

Cryptostylis leptochila (Small Tongue Orchid) at Bournda, NSW by BethanyDunne

Dipodium variegatum (Blotched Hyacinth Orchid) at Bournda, NSW by BethanyDunne

Caleana major (Large Duck Orchid) at Green Cape, NSW by AlisonMilton

Dockrillia teretifolia (A Rat's Tail Orchid) at Narrawallee, NSW by plants

Calanthe triplicata (Christmas Orchid) at Termeil, NSW by plants

Diplodium decurvum (Summer greenhood) at Bemboka, NSW by AlisonMilton

Calochilus sp. (A Beard Orchid) at Yellow Pinch, NSW by BethanyDunne

Cryptostylis subulata (Cow Orchid) at Yellow Pinch, NSW by BethanyDunne

Orthoceras strictum (Horned Orchid) at Yellow Pinch, NSW by BethanyDunne

Thelymitra malvina (Mauve-tuft Sun-orchid) at Green Cape, NSW by AlisonMilton

Calochilus paludosus (Strap Beard Orchid) at Green Cape, NSW by AlisonMilton

Caladenia carnea (Pink Fingers) at Green Cape, NSW by AlisonMilton

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Discussion

BethanyDunne wrote:

1 hr ago

Oh good to know! I thought surely there wouldn't be a 20 year gap. Stunning little flower, very special.

Paraprasophyllum venustum

MattM wrote:

1 hr ago

I saw P. venustum flowering there February 2024. I think I have only seen P. venustum in that herbfield. The herbfield to the north only had P. viriosum flowering last year, however I have seen both species flowering there in previous years.

Paraprasophyllum venustum

RobG1 wrote:

3 hrs ago

@Csteele4 Hi Tina, the flower was large and the sinus was rough (scabrous), unlike D decurvum. The base of the galea was more bulbous (or inflated) than D decurvum. There was a more shrivelled D coccinum in the same colony. Jean Egan and Derek Corrigan were also present when we found this flower and agreed it was D coccinum. I just think the flower was beginning to contort and collapse with age.

Diplodium coccinum

Csteele4 wrote:

4 hrs ago

@RobG1 Looking at the curve and the flaring at the edges of the dorsal sepal, I don't feel like this ID is correct. Perhaps a hybrid. I don't think it is Pterostylis coccina/Diplodium coccinum.

Diplodium coccinum

Csteele4 wrote:

22 Jan 2025

@Tapirlord thank you!

Diplodium decurvum