The Fringed Hare Orchids, Leporella fimbriata, are delighting us once again with their wide, ballerina-like labellum, purple fringed with a green centre. Colonies of ground hugging red-veined leaves appear later as the flower develops.
Fringed Hare Orchid (photo by Alison Watson)
The glands on the upright petals exude a scent which attracts the tiny male Baby Bullants, Myrmecia urens, which pollinate the flowers. We have as yet not managed to find these pollinators although we have often searched for them. Photographer Rudie Kuiter was luckier when he snapped a Baby Bullant pollinating a Fringed Hare Orchid at an unknown location.
Fringed Hare Orchid with baby Bullant (photo by Rudie Kuiter)
Alison Watson