The visitors to the SEANA Camp at Anglesea in March were pleased to see most of our autumn orchids in flower:
Autumn Bird Orchids Chiloglottis reflexa; Tall Bird Orchids C. trilabra; Tiny Greenhoods Pterostylis parviflora; Brown Tipped Greenhoods P. sp. aff. parviflora; Bearded Midge Orchids Corunastylis morrisii; Fringed Midge Orchids C. ciliata; and Parson’s Bands Eriochilus cucullatus.
The only two missing were the Autumn Greenhood Pterostylis revoluta – flowering in Aireys Inlet – and Sharp Midge Orchid Corunastylis despectans – flowering in the Bald Hills Road area. We also managed to find one, early Mosquito Orchid Acianthus pusillus.
Sharp Midge Orchid
Fringed Hare Orchids Leporella fimbriata have now started to appear. We had hoped they may have been in flower for the SEANA visitors but this was not the case. The slender flower stem of this orchid grows to about 25 cm tall, and bears up to three, yellow green flowers with reddish-brown markings. The erect petals resemble a hare’s ears, and with the distinctive fringe on the labellum, give rise to the common name of Fringed Hare Orchid. These orchids form dense colonies, but there are always many more leaves than flowers. The oval leaves are leathery, with distinct red stripes.
Rosettes of Nodding Greenhoods Pterostylis nutans are emerging through the ground in many places, giving an indication of a good flowering season.
Photographs and descriptions of all of the above orchids can be found in Orchids of the Anglesea District available from Angair.