Orchids


There are about 30,000 species of orchid worldwide making Orchidaceae the largest family of flowering plants. They are found in a diverse range of habitats.

Orchids have distinctive flowers, consisting of three sepals and three petals. The third petal is greatly modified into a specialised structure known as a labellum. Another distinctive feature is the column, a fusion of the sexual parts of the flower (stamens and style) into a fleshy structure. Most terrestrial orchids grow from a tuber which is replaced each year.

Some orchids are designated as rare and endangered plants. Others, although reasonably common, are very localised in their occurence. All orchids are protected species and should not be disturbed in their native habitat. For these reasons all orchids have been included as rare or sensitive plants.


Orchids

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Discussion

AMR wrote:
Yesterday
Thanks Matt. You must have a more privileged view of the website than I have. The sighting date isn't visible to me for any records of this species, though I can see it for others, presumably an artefact of limiting data for endangered species. I'm trying to construct a table of first and last flowering records for each year for a report where I am recommending the survey window for a population. Aren't we glad that someone is mining the information so meticulously?

Caladenia actensis
Tapirlord wrote:
Yesterday
These plants will not flower until next year but I suspect you are right with fornicatus

Acianthus sp.
11 Jun 2025
Thank you Jenny.
Yes i have walked through this reserve myself.
I hope you see the flowers when they have their season.

Acianthus sp.
Jennybach wrote:
11 Jun 2025
Jason, thank you for that. I visit Ulladulla and Mollymook often and will definitely look out for orchids in their wildflower reserve.
FYI the Ulladulla wildlife reserve supply a photographic guide in their visitors book and Acianthus fornicatus is listed and pictured. So you’re likely spot on. Also cobra greenhood and helmet orchid are included in their guide.

Acianthus sp.
MattM wrote:
11 Jun 2025
@AMR if you scroll down to the bottom of the page there is a section called "Sighting Information" which has the record date as opposed to the upload date. It says this was recorded 18 September 2013.

Caladenia actensis
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