In our beautiful bushland one sometimes stumbles on a site that has hidden secrets, and this was indeed the case on our July nature ramble when we explored a small section of the Great Otway National Park at Moggs Creek.
The Small Helmet Orchid Corybas unguiculatus is uncommon in the district, but for some reason here it was flowering prolifically, enabling the 18 participants on our ramble to observe it closely and become familiar with its structure.
Tiny Helmet Orchids with their heart-shaped leaves scattered throughout the ground litter
Excited members viewing the orchids
They’re tiny but beautiful
Roger discovered a late Autumn Bird Orchid still in flower
Autumn Bird Orchid
Roma admires the patch of Nodding Greenhoods growing near one of the trees
A group of Tall Greenhoods was just coming into flower
And would you believe a Hyacinth Orchid was already in bud – confused by the seasons?
Leaves of Sun Orchids were beginning to appear
Of course it was just not the orchids.
Kaye and Eathorne
Thanks to Kaye for completing the plant list – 50 species were recorded. Eathorne helped to identify.
Report by Margaret MacDonald
Photos by Mandy Mitchell-Taverner