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With the Rosy Hyacinth Orchids Dipodium roseum and the Horned Orchids Orthoceras strictum on their last legs, it is difficult to find anything to get really excited about in the world of orchids at the present time.

Midge Orchids Corunastylis sp. are starting to appear. I believe one Bearded Midge Corunastylis morrissii was noticed in the Eumeralla area in mid-February. This is a common orchid in the district, and hopefully we will find many more flowering during March and April.

Sharp Midge Orchid

Sharp Midge Orchid

We would love to find more specimens of the Sharp Midge Orchid Corunastylis despectans. We have only two records for this species in the Anglesea district – one in the Ironbark Basin and the other on the Anglesea Heath. This orchid is often difficult to see as it grows among grasses, and is expertly camouflaged by its slender size and colour. The flowers point downwards, with sepals and petals greenish at the base, but purplish at the sharply pointed outcurved tips. These sharply pointed segments give rise to the common name of Sharp Midge Orchid. The third of our Midge Orchid species is the Fringed Midge Orchid Corunastylis ciliata. It is uncommon in the area. It can be easily distinguished from the other two species by its yellowish green and red flowers.

Parson’s Bands Eriochilus cucullatus and Tiny Greenhoods Pterostylis parviflora could also be starting to appear.

For further information on our autumn orchids refer to Orchids of the Anglesea District available from Angair.

Margaret MacDonald