We’ve been here for two Spring seasons now. Each time, my friend BJ has told me we’re too late to see the Helmet Orchids. She was able to identify some that had finished flowering, so I know they are here. Yesterday I decided to get out my Orchid book and see when the Helmet Orchids … Continue reading Small Mosquito-orchid or Tiny Gnat Orchid (Acianthus pusillus)
Tag: Orchids
Tiny Greenhood (Pterostylis parviflora)
Yesterday during a visit, a very sharp-eyed friend pointed to something that looked to me like a small blade of grass and said “Oh look! A little Greenhood.” The other Greenhoods we have had growing here seem to appear in late Winter, or early Spring, so I was a little doubtful, but took a … Continue reading Tiny Greenhood (Pterostylis parviflora)
Slender Onion-orchid (Microtis parviflora)
In mid-December, when I bent down to look at a Pale Vanilla-Lily flower, I noticed these Slender Onion Orchid spikes nearby. Thankfully my friend had alerted me to look for them, or I may have just passed them over. The flowers are so tiny that they don’t immediately catch the eye. Among the information I have … Continue reading Slender Onion-orchid (Microtis parviflora)
Spotted Sun Orchids (Thelymitra ixioides)
Over the last few weeks I have taken a swag of photos of Australian native flowers, including more Australian Terrestrial Orchids. Rather than post a gallery of them here, I’ll post them one by one, and build these posts into a plant index. Today, I’m going to focus on the beautiful Spotted Sun Orchids. Many … Continue reading Spotted Sun Orchids (Thelymitra ixioides)
Brown-clubbed Spider-orchid Caladenia phaeoclavia
My friend pointed out the leaves of the spider orchid before it flowered. We placed a loop of squared fence wire around the precious flower (so the Swamp Wallaby would not eat it) and waited. Eventually it bloomed. Luckily I took some photographs, because I went back a few days later to find only a … Continue reading Brown-clubbed Spider-orchid Caladenia phaeoclavia
Vanilla Orchid (Thelymitra antennifera)
In researching this orchid I have discovered that it is also called the Lemon Orchid, Rabbit-ears or Rabbit’s Ears Orchid. Looking at the photo on the guide, I can see that the dark marks in the centre do look like some flopsy ears. These aren’t shown in my photos, so I will go back out … Continue reading Vanilla Orchid (Thelymitra antennifera)
Gnat Orchid
On the same day I photographed the Waxlip Orchid, I also managed to get some clearer photographs of the Gnat Orchid. This Orchid is so hard to see. It is so tiny, the stems are slimmer than a blade of grass, and brownish purple. i was so lucky to be with people who knew what … Continue reading Gnat Orchid
The First Waxlip Orchid this Spring
Yesterday I spent an enjoyable morning searching for orchids with friends. We found many Greenhoods of varying types, and many more leaves or buds indicating that a number of species were about to burst into flower – Spider Orchid, Sun Orchid and Waxlip Orchid among them. Try as we might, we didn’t find one of … Continue reading The First Waxlip Orchid this Spring
Nodding Greenhoods Are Emerging
It’s fantastic to see the Nodding Greenhoods emerging again. This was the first species of Australian Native Orchid I had ever seen. When we first moved in they were flowering, in large patches right across our property. Hopefully they will do the same this year, but so far we have a few scattered along … Continue reading Nodding Greenhoods Are Emerging
A Tiny Native Orchid
We have been trying to identify some of the small birds which hide in the undergrowth and treetops. Among the methods we use is to sit in the bush listening for their calls. Yesterday, while doing this, Richard spotted our first Autumn Native Orchid. So far I have not been able to identify it precisely, … Continue reading A Tiny Native Orchid
Waxlip Orchid (Glossodia major)
In mid-October we had a few Waxlip Orchids flowering. They seem to be solitary, just one here and there, but their beauty certainly captures my attention when I walk past one. I’m still a novice when it comes to native Australian wildflowers, so I rely heavily on references. The one I am using to identify … Continue reading Waxlip Orchid (Glossodia major)
Fifteen Acres 