Orchids

Green Comb Spider Orchid, Arachnorchis dilatatus - A summer flowering species that conceals itself amongst the Bracken Fern and low native shrubs, groundcover.

The lip or labellum has a distinct comb-like 'teeth' on the margin and bright red tip to the apex, occasionally yellow forms are found with the characteristics large single hairy leaf and 30 cm flower.

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Autumn Bird Orchid, Chiloglottis reflexa - This Autumn flowering species is inclined to produce large colonies of bi-foliate(2) leaves but produces few flowers.

An interesting system of pollination is effective by late summer, ground hatching native wasps. Flowers up to 30mm high.

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Wallflower or Donkey Orchid, Diuris orentis - One of our most distinctive terrestrial orchids but difficult to visually separate from the many yellow spring flowering ground cover plants, especially at the grass like leaf stage, 8-40cm tall.

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Great Sun Orchid, Thelymitra aristata - The largest of the Sun orchids in Tasmania with scape or flower stern up to 80cm and flowers 3cm across.

Typical of this genus flowering during the hot Summer months of late November to January.

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Salmon Sun Orchid , Thelymitra rubra - A small low growing Sun orchid that enjoys the more open and drier sections of the Reserve.

Forming large singular displays, they are slow to open except on hot, bright summer days.

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Short Lip Leek Orchid, Prasophyllum brevilabre - An orchid that benefits from hot Summer fires that occasionally occur in the Australian bushland and are recognised as part of the natural regeneration process.

The tiny distinct flowers are resupinate or reversed (other than normal) on the stem.

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Tailed Spider Orchid, Arachnorchilus caudata - A somewhat variable species and endemic to Tasmania, distinct because of the variable length of the protruding uncurled lip or labellum and the rows of surface and marginal calli (glands).

Geographical isolation and natural selection have over time produced unique characteristics within the taxon or group.

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Hyacinth Orchid, Dipodium roseum - Around the end of December this unusual and colourful flower stem emerges to present one of the most spectacular displays in the bushland, a saprophytic plant that does not produce a basal leaf, it derives its energy from a symbiotic relationship in the soil.

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Waxlip, Glossodia major - One of the most common ground orchids in the state, generally preferring the drier open areas of woodland. The blue, light pinkish or white flowers are singularly quite large, along with the basal leaf. Flowers with large displays in late spring.

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Robust Finger Orchid, Petalochilus tonellii - A recently described species in a somewhat varied and difficult group or taxon.

This particular species is recognised by its unique size, up to 35cm tall and expanded side lobes on the labellum and also calli arrangement. Presently known only from this Reserve and endemic to Tasmania.

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Strap-Beard Orchid, Calochilus paludosus - A swamp or marshland growing species with an almost iridescent glow from the 'hairs' or calli on the labellum surface, a distinct feature is the strap-like tail on the apex of the lip.

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Photographs supplied by Peter Tonelli©