For many years I have been photographing the Spotted Sun Orchid (Thelymitra ixioides) on our property. I was aware that there was a variation in colour and often in the location of the spots. Recently, with the help of ‘Bush Gems’ an excellent reference to Victoria’s orchids by Gary Backhouse, I realise there are two … Continue reading Rush-leaf Sun-Orchid (Thelymitra juncifolia) vs. Spotted Sun-Orchid (Thelymitra ixioides)
Tag: Orchids
Purple Beard-orchid (Calochilus robertsonii)
Another orchid to make a first appearance in 2017 was the Purple Beard-orchid. Two separate plants grew right on the edge of the walking track at the back of our property, and another two on a cleared section near the Brown-clubbed Spider-orchids. We had seen one Red Beard-orchid in a different area in 2013, and … Continue reading Purple Beard-orchid (Calochilus robertsonii)
Orchid Leaves
On my walk around the property this morning, I noticed many species of plants sending up new growth. Among them were patches of orchid leaves. The photograph above shows Small Mosquito Orchid leaves, Waxlip Orchid leaves and possibly a Helmet Orchid leaf. In other places, many species of Greenhood are establishing colonies, the Gnat … Continue reading Orchid Leaves
Small Spider-orchid (Caladenia parva)
A group of visiting Field Naturalists discovered this Small Spider-orchid growing right next to some Sundew plants I had marked to show them. It was a bit embarrassing to have walked past it multiple times without even noticing it was there. Luckily I didn’t stand on it before the visitors arrived. In appearance, the Small … Continue reading Small Spider-orchid (Caladenia parva)
Striped (Striated) Greenhood (Pterostylis alata)
I’ve been keeping an eye on a very small number of Striped Greenhoods (also known as Striated Greenhoods) for about a month now. It has taken me a while but I am finally adding them to the A-Z Native Species list. Today I could only find one, but there have been up to five in … Continue reading Striped (Striated) Greenhood (Pterostylis alata)
A Gallery of Winter Flowers
On the last day of Winter, I hope you enjoy some of the flowers I have photographed over previous two weeks.
Moss and Orchids: Five Photographs
While our rainfall is low this year, there have been enough showers to keep the moss green and the orchids emerging. While I am out photographing Helmet Orchids, Nodding Greenhoods, Blunt Greenhoods and other tiny plants, I am repeatedly struck by the beauty of some of the moss we have growing here. It’s deep and … Continue reading Moss and Orchids: Five Photographs
Trim Greenhood (Pterostylis concinna)?
Yesterday’s discovery of a potential hybrid species of Greenhood made me look into my ‘unidentified’ photographs to see what else was there – and I think I may have found a Trim Greenhood. The photograph was taken a couple of years ago. Among the identifying features of the Trim Greenhood are: a dark brown ‘v’ … Continue reading Trim Greenhood (Pterostylis concinna)?
Sharp Greenhood (Pterostylis X ingens)
This week, I’ve had the pleasure of showing a few visitors the Greenhoods and Helmet orchids in flower, as well as some of the other interesting plants on our property. After a few discussions about timing, seasons and conditions, I decided to go back through last year’s photographs for comparison. In mid-August last year I … Continue reading Sharp Greenhood (Pterostylis X ingens)
Here Come the Helmet Orchids
We are finally seeing some Helmet Orchid buds. Most of them are still very tiny, but there are a few that are taking on some colour, and beginning to swell. If I look back at last year’s photographs I see that the fully open flowers appeared at the end of July, so hopefully in … Continue reading Here Come the Helmet Orchids
Parsons Bands Orchid – possibly a green form?
We have quite a few Parsons Bands Orchids in flower at the moment, but this one stands out through the lack of pink or red. Potentially it is a green form, as referenced on the Retired Aussies website. I have not found reference to this colour anywhere else. So, if you have knowledge of this … Continue reading Parsons Bands Orchid – possibly a green form?
Rabbit Ears (Thelymitra antennifera)
I haven’t had time to identify any further Sun Orchids species I photographed over the past week, but as I already know Rabbit Ears, and it is a Sun Orchid, I thought I would share a photograph of one. I took this photograph on 19 October with a Macro lens. Rabbit Ears orchids are named for the … Continue reading Rabbit Ears (Thelymitra antennifera)
Grassland Sun Orchid (Thelymitra basaltica)
For the second time this week, I am researching an endangered species of Sun Orchid which does not appear in my field guide – this time it’s the Grassland Sun Orchid. I can only find a couple of photographs to match it against on Retired Aussies and on EcoLink, both of which have only … Continue reading Grassland Sun Orchid (Thelymitra basaltica)
Short Sun Orchid (Thelymitra exigua)
The centre of this Short Sun Orchid almost seems to have teeth shown in a gasp of horror! It makes me smile because it is both beautiful and humorous in a charming way. I like the way the colour in the lobes fades toward the centre of the flower. I would like to tell you more … Continue reading Short Sun Orchid (Thelymitra exigua)
Slender Sun Orchid (Thelymitra pauciflora)
Learning how to identify the various species of Sun Orchid is not an easy task, so I am beginning with the Slender Sun Orchid because it is one that I have (I believe) successfully classified. I’m happy to be corrected by orchid enthusiasts! While Sun Orchids come in a variety of sizes and colours, the … Continue reading Slender Sun Orchid (Thelymitra pauciflora)
Our First Spring Waxlip Orchid
It would be remiss of me to overlook the first Waxlip Orchid of Spring, which we saw yesterday afternoon. Last year, we had many Waxlip Orchids, so I hope this is just the first of many.
Mayfly Orchid (Acianthus caudatus)
I’ve been watching a tiny patch of Mayfly Orchids grow for quite some time, checking on their progress every couple of days. As they are growing on the edge of a track created by wildlife, I’ve had my fingers crossed that the orchids didn’t become breakfast for a creature before they flowered. Fortunately, they seem to be … Continue reading Mayfly Orchid (Acianthus caudatus)
Tall Greenhood (Pterostylis longifolia)
I found this Tall Greenhood yesterday when I decided to veer off the walking path and investigate a track created by animals. This track just led from the walking path to the boundary fence, and was the way on and off our property for wallabies and kangaroos. Nearby was a healthy population of Maroonhoods, which … Continue reading Tall Greenhood (Pterostylis longifolia)
Blunt Greenhood (Pterostylis curta)
We’ve had Blunt Greenhoods growing in reasonable numbers each year we’ve been living here, and I have photographed them each year. For some reason, they haven’t yet featured in a post – until today! At the moment we have two small colonies of Blunt Greenhoods, with the prospect of finding more. They seem to be just … Continue reading Blunt Greenhood (Pterostylis curta)
Fully Open Helmet Orchids at last!
For those who are on the journey with me, here are some photographs of fully opened Helmet Orchids. I’m not completely sure, but I think I may have photographed two different species of Helmet Orchid. We certainly have the Slaty Helmet Orchid (Corybas incurvus) and looking at distinctions of colour, shape and curve, I think we … Continue reading Fully Open Helmet Orchids at last!
Unfurling Helmet Orchid Flowers
As the Helmet Orchid buds swell, it is difficult to tell if they are flowering simply by looking at them. The only way I can work this out is to photograph them and look at the photos on the computer. In the process, I have captured the way the flowers open, which I’ve found utterly … Continue reading Unfurling Helmet Orchid Flowers
Mind Shifting Moments 1: Ecosystem
As we approach the two-year mark, I want to document some of the ‘mind shifting’ moments that have occurred since we moved in. I think I am substantially a different woman from the one who lived in the centre of the city two years ago. The topic I have selected for this first post is Ecosystem … Continue reading Mind Shifting Moments 1: Ecosystem
Beginning to Emerge: Nodding Greenhoods
I can’t claim these are the first Nodding Greenhoods to appear this season – I saw others a few days ago which seem to have been eaten before I photographed them. I hope the Swamp Wallabies enjoyed the meal. Nevertheless, it is fantastic to see the graceful flower heads rising up from the earth … Continue reading Beginning to Emerge: Nodding Greenhoods
Small Mosquito Orchid Part 2
Here is a photo gallery to more clearly show the Small Mosquito Orchid (Acianthus pusillus). This follows an earlier post “Small Mosquito-orchid or Tiny Gnat Orchid (Acianthus pusillus)” and several useful photography tips from Mary McAvoy. Thank you Mary! The plants in the photos below range from about 2 cm high (the leaf) to 5 or … Continue reading Small Mosquito Orchid Part 2
Fifteen Acres 