Spotted Sun Orchid Thelymitra ixioides
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Spotted Sun Orchid Thelymitra ixioides |
These delicate looking plants are renowned for thriving in the most unlikely situations. (A native orchid was found within 200m of the General Post Office of Hobart in 1992!) There are few places in Tasmania where orchids cannot be found and there is no month of the year when an orchid cannot be found in flower. One of the mysteries faced by an orchid enthusiast is to explain the distribution of orchids. Generally sandy heathlands are good, but not always. Generally open woodlands are good, but not always. Generally being close to the coast is good, but not too close. Generally grassy places are bad, but with some notable exceptions. It is not easy to give a formula which will lead to an orchid haven. The majority of Tasmania's orchid species are found in the warmer lowland areas, especially close to the sea. However, there are species found mainly in sub-alpine and alpine areas, a few found mainly in rainforest, some found in marshes and some even prefer growing in water, at the edge of pools. The orchid pictured at left grows in open woodland and heathland situated in lowland areas. |
| There is no doubt that the peak flowering time for orchids in lowland Tasmania is during the spring. Probably the best month is October, when some coastal locations could offer ten or more species in flower. For example, it is not difficult to find ten different species in flower on Flinders island in October. In higher parts of the State flowering is concentrated in early summer, but several lowland species also prefer summer. The start of autumn heralds a new collection of orchids in flower. Generally the winter-flowering orchids are small, being pollinated by small fungus midges, but there are some exceptions. The orchids pictured here are all spring flowers. |
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(Left) Pale Bearded Orchid Calochilus herbaceus (Right) Tall Sun Orchid |
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| A few native orchid species have taken to growing in suburban gardens. Unfortunately they are not the prettiest orchids. The common onion orchid and the slender sun orchid are the most likely species in an established garden. In a newly established garden orchids can persist for a while, like some bearded orchids. Other species of orchid can be cultivated given appropriate conditions, but many native species fade away quickly if transplanted from the bush. People keen on trying to cultivate Tasmania's native orchids are advised to contact their local orchid society or a specialist nursery. |
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Common Onion Orchid Microtis unifolia |
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Bird Orchid Chiloglottis platychila |
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Caladenia (growing through Dianella) |
Wallflower Orchid Diuris corymbosa |
Text for this item adapted from the Society's Plant Identikit ORCHIDS OF TASMANIA (Phil Collier) |
