The beautiful Fringed Hare Orchid, Leporella fimbriata, has started to flower in sandy areas around Anglesea. They can grow up to 25 cm but at present are still small. There are many in bud and very difficult to see. Take care when looking for them. The flowers are mostly a greenish brown with a broad purple fringed labellum.
Fringed Hare Orchid
They are fertilised by male flying ants that are attracted to the scent glands on the petals. The ovate red-veined leaves appear after the flowers begin to grow. They have not been seen yet at the Coalmine Rd site where the road was realigned, but we hope to see them growing where soil from the area was moved to the revegetating Alcoa site.
Alison Watson and Margaret MacDonald