Native Orchid Society of

South Australia Inc.

Journal

Diuris calcicola One of new orchid species named in 2015 Photo: R. Bates

June 2016
Volume 40 No. 5
 Native Orchid Society of South Australia
June 2016 Vol. 40 No. 5

The Native Orchid Society of South Australia promotes the conservation of

orchids through preservation of natural habitat and cultivation.
Except with the documented official representation of the management
committee, no person may represent the Society on any matter. All native
President orchids are protected in the wild; their collection without written
Vacant Government permit is illegal.
Vice President
Robert Lawrence Contents
Email: [email protected] Title Author Page
Secretary Bulletin Board 54
Rosalie Lawrence Vice President’s Report Robert Lawrence 55
Email:[email protected] May Field Trip – From a newbie Vicki Morris 56
Treasurer
NOSSA Seed Kits 2016 Les Nesbitt 57
Christine Robertson
Email: [email protected]
The Orchid & Mycorrhiza Fungus… Rob Soergel 57
Editor Growing Exercise Recall Les Nesbitt 58
Lorraine Badger Diuris Project Report Les Nesbitt 58
Assistant Editor - Rob Soergel May Meeting Review Rob Soergel 58
Email: [email protected] Pterostylis - Reprint 59
Committee Letters to the editor 60
Michael Clark May Orchid Pictures Competition Rosalie Lawrence 62
Bob Bates April Benched Orchids Results Les Nesbitt 63
Kris Kopicki April Benched Orchids Photos Judy & Greg Sara 64
Other Positions
Membership Liaison Officer Life Members
Robert Lawrence
Mr R Hargreaves† Mr G Carne Mrs T Bridle
Ph: 8294 8014
Email:[email protected] Mr H Goldsack† Mr R Bates
Botanical Advisor Mr R Robjohns† Mr R Shooter
Bob Bates Mr J Simmons† Mr W Dear
Conservation Officer Mr D Wells† Mrs C Houston
Thelma Bridle Ph: 8384 4174 Mr L Nesbitt Mr D Hirst
Field Trips Coordinator
Michael Clark Patron: Mr L. Nesbitt
[email protected]
Librarian The Native Orchid Society of South Australia, while taking all due care, takes
Pauline Meyers no responsibility for loss or damage to any plants whether at shows, meetings
Registrar of Judges or exhibits. Views or opinions expressed by authors of articles within this
Les Nesbitt Journal do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the management
Show Marshall committee. We condone reprints of any article with acknowledgment.
Vacant
Trading Table
Vacant Front cover - photo Robert Bates, Dec. 2015 A newly named species.
Tuber Bank Coordinator Diuris calcicola (R.J. Bates)
Jane Higgs
This new species was named in the October issue of the Orchid Review 2015
Ph: 8558 6247
and reported in NOSSA’s December journal. “It is a mallee species, growing
Email: [email protected]
across the limestone plains and rises from Victorian border as far as western
Website Manager
Eyre Peninsula, often locally common. This bright yellow donkey orchid was
Rosalie Lawrence
previously included under D. pardina, a species restricted to the mountains
Email:[email protected]
from near Jamestown south to the Adelaide Hills. It was previously included
under Diuris sp. Short Tails (NOSSA Journal Vol 39:11 p 128)

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Native Orchid Society of South Australia Inc. Journal June 2016 Vol. 40 No. 5

Bulletin Board
The Native Orchid Society of South Australia meets every fourth Tuesday of the months February to November at St
Matthew's Hall, Bridge Street, Kensington. Meeting starts at 8:00 p.m. Doors to the hall open from 7:15 pm to allow
Members access to the Library, Trading Table and Grower’s Forum.

March Event
th
June 25 Sat Weeding at Brentwood -
June 28th Tues General Meeting - Speaker: Philip Cramond – Biological Control of Weeds
July 2nd Sat Field Trip - winter orchids – location to be advised
July 5th Tues s Committee Meeting at Rosalie and Robert Lawrence’s place – Anyone welcome.
July 8th Fri Last day for journal articles
July 26th Tues General Meeting – Speaker: Kris Kopicki – Growing Orchids in Dry Climate
Jul 30th Sat Field Trip Aldinga – Corysanthes despectans

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

ARTICLES FOR NEXT JOURNAL
 Olwyn Leaman of Prospect
Articles need to reach the Editor no later than
 Rosalind & Tony Miller of Bellevue Heights
Friday 8th July 2016. Thank you
Remember: There is no guarantee that articles
NEXT MEETING 2016 – JUN 28
received after this date will go into the journal.
Speaker: Philip Cramond Biological Control of Weeds
While travelling we stay in the one place over the
weekend the articles are due. Once on the road
FIELD TRIPS Michael Clark field trip co-ordinator
again there is little time for completing a journal so
 2nd July- location TBA - winter orchids promptness is appreciated. Thanks to those who
 July 30 – Aldinga – Corysanthes despectans send articles in promptly or even early.
 Aug 27 – Murray Bridge
Remember bookings are essential contact through DIARY DATES FOR 2016
[email protected] *** VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ***
 NOSSA Spring Show – September 17th & 18th
2016 WEEDING DATES – volunteers needed  APS Spring Show – October 8th & 9th
 Sat 25th June 10 am Brentwood Cemetery No prior experience necessary
Caladenia intuta If attending or wish to
know further details contact Erica Rees: Sturt Upper Reaches Landcare Group –
[email protected] OR ph. 0408 812 677 Friday June 24 7.30 pm talk;
Wed 14th Sept 9.30 am Grange Golf Club Saturday June 25 three workshops
Pterostylis arenicola weeding & monitoring
 Sat 8th Oct 9.30 am Belair NP FUTURE MEETINGS
Pterostylis cucullata weeding in Long Gully. 2016
For further details about weeding at Belair or Grange June 28: Philip Cramond – Biological Control of Weeds
contact Tim Jury 7127 4166
July 26: Kris Kopicki – Growing Orchids in Dry Climate
“A little gem found in August 23: Andrew Lowe –Impact of Climate change
Tomaree National Park, on South Australia’s Flora and What Should We Do?
NSW” (Editor) September 27: Les Nesbitt – Secret Life of Seed Kit
Acianthus fornicates October 25: Sarcochilus Show
November 22: Members Talks/ Christmas breakup
(Pixie Caps)
Found in moist eucalypt 2017 February 28: Mark Bachmann – Stipiturus
forest & drier scrub of restoration (tentative)
coastal NSW & SE Qld.

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Native Orchid Society of South Australia Inc. Journal June 2016 Vol. 40 No. 5

From the Vice President

Robert Lawrence

Introducing people to orchids at Kildare College can isolate fungi

needed for the healthy growth of
It has been a joy to lead the last two these orchids. I appreciate the ideas
field trips and introduce people to that Kris has contributed and his
native orchids who had not seen them offer of seed for NOSSA.
before. There is an article in this Journal
and one in the last written by beginners Thelma Bridle has offered to make
telling of their pleasant introduction to available patterns for cross stitch
orchids. If you have not been on a portraying Australian native orchids.
NOSSA Field Trip, please make the
effort to come along. You could be Southern Lofty Block Threatened
surprised by what you see and learn. Orchid Recovery Team meeting
Ten members represented NOSSA
Strategic use of NOSSA funds at the recent meeting for an update and planning.
The funds managed by NOSSA have been steadily Kirsten Abley from the Department for Environment,
increasing since the end of 2010 when there was Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) spoke about
$40,686 to $55,227 at the end of May this year. The fire management and the use of prescribed burns.
committee has made available $2,000 of these funds Kirsten stressed the importance of having data on
for development of an interactive website for orchid orchid locations for fire management. Incident
identification. The last meeting approved up to controllers need all the information they can get.
$7,000 for conservation of an orchid species, We also learnt about new approaches to fire
possibly Caladenia gladiolata, through the Orchid management with DEWNR focusing on risk
Conservation Program run by Noushka Reiter at the management rather than a 5% annual target for
Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. NOSSA plans to bushland area. This target was developed in Victoria
make use of the remaining funds to publish a field and has the perverse outcome of burning remote
guide to the orchids of South Australia. areas of low risk just to meet the annual target. The
new approach is to aim at 5% of high risk areas near
New approaches assets. The amount of high risk areas has been
reduced by recent major fires. In March we heard at
NOSSA is also looking for new ways to obtain an
our general meeting, from Renate Faast, how
income for conservation and recovery of threatened
autumn burns were detrimental to orchids but
orchids. In particular, we are looking to expand the
Kirsten said that those interested in birds thought
sale of seed kits for propagation. The sale of seed
spring burns were unthinkable.
internationally is being considered which will require
buyers to be NOSSA members. This could change the Ongoing monitoring of orchids was planned for the
profile of membership significantly. coming year. Issues involved in the conservation of
selected species were discussed and actions were
Kris Kopicki is offering to provide seed from Western
determined. It was a great time for getting an insight
Australian species that he is growing. We are hoping
into what is happening in conservation.
that students from the Orchids in Schools program

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Native Orchid Society of South Australia Inc. Journal June 2016 Vol. 40 No. 5

May Field Trip Report: Words from a Newbie

Vicki Morris
So what do you expect when you get out of bed opportunity to learn. It is truly an eyes on classroom.
bright and early, ready and chipper for the day to Furthermore, it is always good to have all those
begin? No wait, that’s not what really happened. extra eyes to see what one set of eyes would
Hmm. How about we just say got out of bed. Yes, probably miss and the company of fellow orchid
that is more like it. worshippers. Then there is the benefit of a jolly good
The weather was threatening rain and winds, but work out for the knees. Ah, it was nice to be in a
that did not stop those of us foolhardy enough to group of fellow dirty-knees.
brave that and South Road construction to meet at By now it was lunch time. With our jackets wrapped
an old building in Myponga on Saturday morning. around our waists and our knees wet and dirty, we
From there we went to Nixon-Skinner Conservation no longer needed to worry about strangers and what
Park. they might have thought about us. No, indeed, they
We started walking as orchid hunters do- eyes down would be long gone by now. We grabbed lunch and
and scanning in all directions. First there were headed off for Mt. Billy Conservation Park. It is hard
leaves, yes, we got excited over the many orchid to satisfy an orchid addiction. The rain held off and
leaves we found, and there were plenty to get we were ready wearing our dirty knee pants anyway.
excited about. Then we found the Acianthus pusillus-
(Mosquito Orchids) in flower which had everyone
getting down on their knees to admire and take
photos of this Orchid. If a stranger passed by I know
they would wonder what exactly was being
worshipped, but one also wonders what look would
be on their face if they knew it was a tiny orchid?

Thanks to the expert guidance and Marg Paech, we

found yet another surprise! The rare and treasured
Pterostylis bryophila (Hindmarsh Valley Greenhood).
Taking reverent care to walk worthy of being in the
presence of this beautiful orchid, we were given the
honour of a few photos. That makes 4 flowering
species in one late autumn Saturday and in spite of
Moving on, we found the dainty and lovely Leporella the fact that it has been so dry. We were truly
fimbriata-Hare Orchid. What a find! Two different spoiled by nature’s gifts to us.
orchids in one cold, damp and supposed to be So if I were to be asked, “was it worth getting out of
raining morning! Can it get any better? Well, it did. a warm bed on a supposed wet and cold morning to
While continuing our “not-as aimless as it looked” track around in the bush for orchids?” I would
walk through the bush (thank you Robert and definitely say “Yes, it was”. Does that make me an
Rosalie for GPS) we got to find Pterostylis sanguinea- orchid worshipper? Perhaps, but I wasn’t alone.
(Blood Greenhood Orchid). That made 3 flowering Editor’s Comment:
types of orchids. We were back down on our knees Thank you Vicki for your delightfully graphic
and into the worshipful position again, cameras description of the day. It is always interesting to read
going accompanied by a chorus of “oos” and “aws”. field trip reports; especially from a newbie. They
There were a few added benefits to this orchid bring a new perspective and attitude; reminding
hunting trip. The first being, and what a treat it is, some of us what our first field trip was like..
that there is always much knowledge and
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Native Orchid Society of South Australia Inc. Journal June 2016 Vol. 40 No. 5

NOSSA Seed Kits Jun 2016

Les Nesbitt
Eighty kits were produced in total. All thirty kits of millimetre in diameter on top of the needles. They
Pterostylis nana and forty three kits of Ptst. appeared about a week after the heavy rain in early
sanguinea were sold. The remaining seven kits were May. Fungal threads could be seen growing up the
planted out by Kildare College students on the day side of the black plastic pot with more minute white
after the May NOSSA meeting as it was a rainy day dots at the leading edge. I have not heard of orchid
and an indoor activity was called for. The seven pots fungi forming toadstools before. Are they from the
are now in my shadehouse in the Hills alongside the Pterostylis fungus? The fungus must reproduce
other NOSSA orchids I am looking after. If you somehow to spread to new areas. Surely it is not one
wanted a kit you have missed out for this year. clone spread by animals or dust.
No leaves have been reported by growers yet. At Next year the kit could be split into two parts. Part A
Kildare, the viability trial protocorms were forming consisting of the seed & fungal vials and the sowing
tiny green leaves in the petri dishes at mid-May. instructions. Part A is sufficient for sowing into bush
Protocorms in pots would probably be a month or gardens and could be mailed to the Eastern States.
two behind the lab seedlings. I do not expect to see Part B would contain the pot, potting mix and
any leaves in pots before August, although I keep sheoak needles for local growers who do not have
looking. Please be very patient and resist the urge to these materials and want to grow seedlings in pots.
poke a finger into the sheoak needles looking for Part B is time consuming to produce. Provided the
signs of life. seed is available, greatly increased numbers of Part
In one of my pots at home, along the shaded side, A kits could be produced and sold.
there are very tiny white spheres less than a

The Orchid and Mycorrhiza Fungus Relationship

Rob Soergel
We all know that Orchids have a symbiotic relies solely on Tulasnella cruciate (fungus) for its
relationship with certain types of fungi but what is existence whereas Microtis unifolia will grow, and
the reason for this? flourish, with almost all of the fungal genera
As a seed the orchid consumes the fungus to initiate mentioned.
growth. For some species this is all that’s required One particularly nasty fungus Rhizoctonia solani is
but for the fungi dependant orchids it then becomes associated with plant pathogens and often causes
a give and take relationship. damping off and root rot of a wide range of plants .
Take Diplodium punctatum for example this South Yet, some species of Pterostylus have formed a
Aussie completely relies on its associated fungi to Mycorrhizal relationship with it and these orchids
supply it with nutrients for its entire life. In return have brown roots instead of the usual white. While I
the orchid supplies the fungus with the elements it have concentrated on South Australian orchids the
requires for continued growth. To complicate same basic principles apply to all orchids but going
matters even more some species of fungus rely on a into specifics for each individual species would fill
particular type of tree to supply it with one missing volumes.
element and its orchid to supply the other. This has been summarised from Bates and Weber
Thankfully it uses the decaying bark and leaves to Orchids of South Australia and reviewed by Thelma
supply the nutrient but cultivating these orchids are Bridle.
considerably harder if not impossible. References:
There are four main genera of fungi associated with Bates, R.J & Weber, J.Z. (1990) Orchids of South
orchids in S. A.: Thanatephorus, Ceratobasidium, Australia, Government Printer, Adelaide.
Tulasnella and Sebacina with the species in each EDITOR’S NOTE: The above mentioned book is
genera being specific to certain orchids species or available for borrowing from the NOSSA library.
groups. For example Acianthus caudatus (orchid)
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Native Orchid Society of South Australia Inc. Journal June 2016 Vol. 40 No. 5

Growing Exercise Plant Recall May 2016

Les Nesbitt
2012 Dendrobium teretifolium 2015 Sarcochilus hartmannii
Only one plant mounted on cork bark was brought in Two plants were brought to the meeting. The largest
by Les Nesbitt. Some growers said their seedlings in a 80 mm tube had several offsets developing at
had died. Mounted plants need daily misting in the base of the original growth. I grow this plant in a
summer so growers have to be dedicated. glasshouse. Others growing in my shadehouse are
2013 Dendrobium linguiforme smaller. This species will probably be the first of all
the seedlings to flower.
Two plants were brought in growing in tubes and
pots. The seedlings were still small although the So what have we learnt? We learnt that orchid
largest was growing in several directions. There were seedlings are slow growing under shadehouse
none on mounts which is the usual way of growing conditions. Many of the seedlings have either died
this creeping species. or have become part of grower’s collections and the
link to the NOSSA growing exercise has been lost.
2014 Dendrobium comptonii Maybe people do not read the journal.
Four plants in tubes were healthy but still small.
Whatever the reason, I had hoped to see more
Psuedo-bulbs had reached mature diameter but plants brought in. The exercise for 2016 is the seed
were still short. They will grow to over 300 mm kit.
before flowering regularly. This hardy species has
been the most successful seedling so far.

NOSSA Diuris behrii Project May 2016

Les Nesbitt
An environmental contractor for Hillgrove Resources The orchids have individual tree guards. I
picked up 95 Diuris behrii daughter plants from my understand the kangaroo threat as any orchid on my
shadehouse at the end of May together with a tray bush block taller than 50 mm gets eaten off if not
of lilies, Microtis and rock ferns. The plants will go inside a roo proof enclosure. In three years 185
back into rehabilitation areas within the Kanmantoo Diuris plants have gone back to the mine site along
Mine site. Previous plantings are doing well and with about 100 Microtis orchids. With good
some have flowered in previous years. Kangaroos management of the remaining diuris plants this rate
are becoming a problem at the mine site as they are of reintroductions is sustainable and can probably be
eating the native plant and grass seedlings that had increased in future years as the many small tubers
been nursery raised and planted out. grow larger.

May Meeting Review

Rob Soergel (Assistant Editor)

The guest speaker for the night was Helen included the collection of type plants,
Vonow of The Adelaide Herbarium gave us DNA testing and microscopic inspections
an insight to the history and function of the of the specimens. There are over 1
Adelaide Herbarium. Some of the history million specimens in the Herbarium with
included mentioning how there were around 30,000 of them being Orchids.
several Herbariums in Adelaide and they The talk concluded with Helen passing
have now amalgamated in to one located at around several specimens including
Tram Barn 1 in Hackney. Pterostylis arenicola
Some of the functions of the herbarium

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 Native Orchid Society of South Australia Inc. Journal June 2016 Vol. 40 No. 5

Pterostylis
It is that time of the year when the winter orchids begin to appear. Amongst my
favourites are the greenhoods, now often mistakenly lumped under the name,
Pterostylis. An understandable mistake as Bates (2011) points out, “For nearly two
centuries greenhood orchids’ taxonomy had remained stable, with all species
treated as Pterostylis.”(1) However, in the last decade or so an increase in
taxonomical nomenclature revisions have occurred for whatever reason, and the
Pterostylis species has not escaped nomenclature changes. For example – see also
Bunochilus, Diplodium, Hymenochilus, Linguella, Oligochaetochilus, Plumatichilos,
Speculantha, Taurantha, Urochilus, amongst other names.
The article below, is from an era before such changes and makes interesting
reading.

(1) Bates, R.J. (2011). South Australia’s Native Orchids. DVD-ROM. Native Orchid
Society of South Australia Inc., Adelaide. Page 1018

Reprint from NOSSA Journal Volume 3, No. 5 June, 1979

This month's cover features two have common names directly

examples of the genus “Pterostylis". interpretable from their scientific
(Pterostylis pedunculata and names. Other examples are P.
Pterostylis nana) longifolia, the Longleaf Greenhood;
Like several of the other orchid P. mutica, the Blunt Greenhood
genera, the name is a combination of ("muticus" Latin for blunt); P. nutans,
two Greek words. In this instance; the Nodding Greenhood ("nutans"
the prefix is quite a common one, Latin for nodding); P. cyconocephala,
coming from the word "Pteron" the Swan or Swan-headed
(meaning a wing). Several Australian Greenhood. In this instance the
plants have this prefix, the same as species name is a combination of the
the pterodactyl, the extinct flying Latin "cygness" (a swan) and the
reptile. Not surprisingly pterography Greek "kephale" (a head).
is the collective word for "the One species where the common
description of feathers", though this name is not related to its scientific
is a paradox as the Greek for feather name is P. pedunculata, the other
is in fact "Ptilon"! orchid shown on the cover. As in
The second part of the name comes Diuris pedunculata, the species
from the Greek "stylos" (column or epithet refers to the long slender
style), hence Pterostylis - winged column - a stem - a characteristic particularly
reference to the lateral lobes, or column wings, to noticeable in specimens growing in shady areas
be seen at the top of the column inside the hood of among long-leaved grasses: for example in the Belair
these "greenhood" orchids. Recreation Park just east of Echo Tunnel. Also to be
found in the Belair Park is P. curta, another orchid
The smaller of the two shown on the cover, P. nana, like the former, which responds readily to
has a species title readily befitting it, with the name cultivation! The species name comes from the Latin
coming from the Latin "nanus" (dwarf). The "curtus" (shortened)-a reference to the absence of
relevance of its name can be accepted readily, giving the elongation of the lateral sepals that
rise as it does to its common name of Dwarf characterises so many examples of this genus. In this
Greenhood! In fact so many of our greenhoods have respect, the appearance is similar to that of P.
such easily discernible characteristics that many

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Native Orchid Society of South Australia Inc. Journal June 2016 Vol. 40 No. 5

cucullata, whose species name comes from the Latin "cucullatus", or "cucullus" (hood).
P. obtusa, our most recent orchid "find", has a name latter being the only orchid species he ever
derived from the Latin "obtusus" (to blunt); itself a succeeded in raising from seed.
combination of "ob" (meaning against) and P. vittata is attributable to Lindley, and here the
"tunders" (to beat). Thus the species epithet is a species name comes from the Latin "vittatus" (band
reference to the blunt shape of the labellum" All the or garland) - hence the Banded Greenhood, a
Pterostylis mentioned so far, except P. cycnocephala, reference to the pronounced stripes on the hood.
were named (as was the genus) by Robert Brown. Erickson refers to this as the commonest greenhood
Some of them occur on Mt Brown itself, though as in Western Australia! Finally come two greenhoods
Brown visited the area in March it is highly unlikely that have been subjected to name changes. The first
that he came across any of them in flower. The is P. plumosa, from the Latin "pluma" (a soft
exception, P. cycnocephala was named by Fitzgerald, feather). It was given this name by Cady (1969) to
who established it as a separate species from P. distinguish it from P. barbata, by which name it had
mutica, though he had reservations on this point, been known in South Australia; P. barbata remaining
and there is no doubt that the distributions for the the name for the Western Australian species. In both
two species are remarkably similar. (Fitzgerald also instances, the specie epithet refers to the highly
mentioned in Volume I of "Australian Orchids" that developed and characteristic labellum.
he successfully fertilised P. obtusa with pollen from
Lastly there is P. alata var robusta. Here alata comes
P. longifolia. The result must be quite interesting.)
Another hybrid to which Fitzgerald refers is one we from the Latin "alatus" (a wing), while robusta is the
could well look out for; namely the crossing between Latin "robustus" (robust) - a derivation from "robur"
P. curta and P. pedunculata. He found both species (oak): this latter also occurs in its basic form as in
flowering together at Pittwater, New South Wales, Banksia robur the swamp banksia from coastal New
together with what he believed to be intermediate South Wales and Queensland. In the present
forms. We also found both flowering together in instance, the least contentious part of the name,
Belair Recreation Park last September (see the Field robustus, is presumably an allusion to the erect
appearance of flowering specimens, surrounded as
Trip Report in the October 1978 Journal, pp 7-9), but
they usually are by numerous non-flowering basal
the thought of looking closely with the idea of
finding hybrids did not occur to us at the time. rosettes.
Fitzgerald also crossed P. curta with P. nutans - the

Letters to the Editor

“Thanks to the editorial team. I did enjoy this issue as usual. Had to laugh at “Jeff Jeanes
papers” on his 20 years of work with Thelymitra being called articles.” RB

Corrections
March Meeting Review - April 2016 Vol 40 No 3 P 29
“Hello Lorraine, I hope it's not too late to add this to the next edition, but I was wondering whether you
could mention a small error in the last April Journal, on p 29, regarding the presentation I gave in March. The
species should read ”Caladenia rigida’ and Glossodia major, both using a wide range of pollinators. Thank
you very much,” Renate Faast.
Ed - Sorry Renate that it did not make it in to last month’s journal but I hope this sets things straight at last.

New Orchid Species for SA - May 2016 Vol 40 No 4

“… the collage photo used for Bob’s article in the current Journal should have been attributed to June
Niejalke. The photo Bob put in was the one taken by him, a number of years ago.” ..TB

Remember anyone is welcome to make comments either positive, share a complaint , an error or ideas for
improvement. Articles are always very welcome and a great way to learn more about orchids.

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Native Orchid Society of South Australia Inc. Journal June 2016 Vol. 40 No. 5

May 2016 Orchid Picture Competition

Rosalie Lawrence

There were four entries this month with two from

Western Australia; Pauline Meyers’s Caladenia flava
and Ros Miller’s Caladenia longicauda subsp.
eminens; one local, Greg Sara’s Pheladenia deformis;
and one from the ACT, Lorraine Badger’s Cyanicula
caerulea. The winner was the Caladenia flava.

With its long flowering season (July to December) it

is Western Australia’s most common and
widespread species; being found in the south west
triangle of the state from Kalbarri to Israelite Bay; in
habitat as variable as the coastal heathlands through
to inland rocky outcrops; from forests to swamp
margins. Being so prevalent, it is not surprising that
to the non-existent nectar and scarab beetles
it was amongst one of the first Western Australian
(Neophyllotocus sp.). As they share the same
orchids collected in September–October, 1791 by
pollinators, C. flava often hybridizes with C. reptans
ship-surgeon and naturalist, Archibald Menzies. It
and C. latifolia, producing very colourful offspring.
was subsequently named in 1810 by Scottish
botanist Robert Brown. Observations have led orchidologists to further
divide C. flava into 3 subspecies – subsp. flava,
C. flava is one of the five species belonging to the
subsp. maculata and subsp. sylvestris. These
subgenus Elevatae. The other four being C.
differences are based upon floral morphology.
marginata, C. nana, C. reptans (all WA endemics)
and C. latifolia which is widespread across southern References
Australia. All five species have the same Brown A, et al, 2013 Field Guide to the Orchids of Western
characteristic feature of the calli joined together on Australia
a raised plate near the base of the labellum. C. flava Hopper, SD & Brown, AP 2001b Contributions to Western
is distinctively and predominately yellow whereas Australian Orchidology: 2, New taxa and circumscriptions in
Caladenia (Spider, Fairy and Dragon Orchids of Western
the others are pink or white. C. flava has two
Australia), Nuytsia 14: 27–314.
pollinators, native bees which are lured deceitfully

Thanks to Andrew Brown of

WA for reviewing this article

Pheladenia deformis - Greg Sara

C. longicauda subsp. eminens – Cyanicula caerulea - L. Badger

Ros Miller

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Native Orchid Society of South Australia Inc. Journal June 2016 Vol. 40 No. 5

April 2016 Benched Orchids

Epiphytes: Open Division
Species: Hybrid
1st Dendrobium biggibum ‘superbum’ Steve Howard 1st Den. ‘Colonial Kim’ Don & Jane Higgs.
2nd Dendrobium lithicola ‘tembenten” Steve Howard 2 nd
Den. ‘Candy
Anthedon Mornington’
X pugioniforme LesAdams
Janet Nesbitt
3rd Sarcochilus hirticalcar Kris Kopicki rd
3 Nil

Epiphytes: Second Division

Hybrid
1st Den Anthedon puglioforme Janet Adams
2nd Dendrobium Avril’s Gold Janet Adams
3rd Dendrobium Eclipse Janet Adams

Terrestrials: Open Division

Species:
1st Diplodium (Pterostylis) robustum Les Nesbitt
nd
2 Diplodium (Pterostylis) robustum D & J Higgs
rd
3 Tauranthus (Pterostylis) collina D & J Higgs
Robert presented Jane Higgs with certificate
for Iris Butler Trophy award for best hybrid
Popular Vote: Best Orchid for Night
OPEN DIVISION Epiphytes: Diplodium robustum Steve Howard
Species : Sarcochilus hirticalcar Kris Kopicki
Hybrid: Den. ‘Colonial Kim’ Don & Jane Higgs Photos courtesy of Judy & Greg Sara
nd
2 DIVISION Epiphytes
Hybrid: Dendrobium Eclipse Janet Adams
OPEN DIVISION Terrestrials
Species Diplodium (Pterostylis) robustum Les Nesbitt

63
Native Orchid Society of South Australia Inc. Journal June 2016 Vol. 40 No. 5

April 2016 Benched Orchids

Photos Courtesy of Judy & Greg Sara
Dendrobium lithocola Timberlea Tauranthus (Pterostylis) collina

Dendrobium bigibbum 'Green’ Dendrobium anthedon x pugioniforme

'

Dendrobium biggibum superbum Dendrobium Awesome Dendrobium Colonial Kym

64