Blunt greenhoods (Pterostylis curta) sharing a secret near the Genoa River, East Gippsland, VIC.
Large numbers of this impressive greenhood orchid are up and flowering on mossy roadside verges this spring after good winter rainfall. Well over 100 plants flowering in several patches at this location.
#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Spring #EastGippsland #InTheField #Nature #Greenhoods #Pterostylis
Blue Fingers (Cyanicula/Caladenia* caerulea) in open heathland, Croajingalong NP, VIC. This is usually the first orchid out at this location in late-winter before the various small pink/white Caladenias appear.
*Genetic analysis suggested a return to Caladenia in 2019 but is generally still included in Cyanicula.
#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Spring #InTheField #Nature #BloomScrolling #EastGippsland #Caladenia
Interesting small sundew (Drosera sp.) out in heathland near Genoa, VIC on the last orchid scout.
Red basal rosette and compact size suggest that it might be D. peltata (as it is now described in Victoria) which is not that common in East Gippsland. Most other taller Drosera out in large numbers between Genoa and Mallacoota probably look more like D. auriculata - although hard to tell for certain without seeing flowers and seeds on both forms.
#Sundews #CarniverousPlants #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Spring #InTheField #Nature #BloomScrolling #EastGippsland #Drosera
Caladenia catenata (White Fingers) starting to open near Maramingo Creek, VIC. Usually one of the first early-spring Caladenias out in East Gippsland before the myriad of small pink-flowering species emerge several weeks later.
Only a couple flowering here on the edge of heavy forest but larger numbers out in more open grassland closer to Mallacoota.
#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Spring #InTheField #Nature #BloomScrolling #EastGippsland #Caladenia
Pterostylis pedunculata (Maroonhood) with visitor near Central Tilba NSW. Fungus gnats are usually listed as the pollinator of this widespread winter-flowering orchid but this looks more like a male non-biting midge (Chironomidae)? to me (although I'm pretty sketchy on my gnats v midges!). So not sure if there's any pollination - or just visiting - going on here ;)
#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Winter #Pollinators #InTheField #Nature #Greenhoods
Nodding greenhoods (Pterostylis nutans) emerging in late-winter near Mallacoota, VIC. Very commonly seen in East Gippsland with large colonies flowering over several months in good seasons. Also widespread elsewhere in the southern half of VIC, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS and the ACT.
#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Winter #InTheField #Nature #BloomScrolling #EastGippsland #Pterostylis #Greenhood
Maroonhoods (Pterostylis pedunculata) near Central Tilba, NSW. Very common and widespread terrestrial orchid in SE NSW but haven't seen them at this exact location before (although they're out here on private property so haven't really looked regularly in the past!)
#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Winter #InTheField #Nature #BloomScrolling #Pterostylis #Greenhood #TerrestrialOrchids
Pterostylis nutans (nodding greenhood) near Genoa, VIC. This is a very common winter-flowering orchid at this location (and SE AUS in general) with large colonies often seen here from June right through to mid-Nov in some seasons. Good numbers out this year already after steady winter rainfall.
#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Winter #InTheField #Nature #BloomScrolling #EastGippsland #Pterostylis #Greenhood
Winter orchids flowering together near Gipsy Point, VIC at the start of August - Pterostylis curta (blunt greenhood), Acianthus pusillus (small mosquito orchid), Pterostylis concinna (trim greenhood) and Pterostylis nutans (nodding greenhood). Also maroonhoods and helmet orchids (which had finished flowering) at this location - growing in mossy roadside verges.
Only a few late flowers on the mosquito orchids - usually see them earlier in June. Trim greenhoods are also usually a bit earlier flowering here but several small patches still out - possibly due to the wetter conditions this winter. Good numbers of greenhoods out and lots more on the way is hopefully a good sign for the upcoming spring orchid season in East Gippsland!
#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Winter #InTheField #Nature #BloomScrolling #EastGippsland #Pterostylis #Greenhood
First Pterostylis pedunculata (Maroonhood) flowering near Gipsy Point, VIC at the end of July. Very common orchid in this area - large colonies can be seen out a little later in spring.
Grows here alongside several other greenhood species including P. curta & P. nutans which were both also flowering on this visit.
#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Winter #EastGippsland #InTheField #Nature #Greenhoods #Pterostylis
Kicking off the winter orchid season (a little late this year!) with a quick scout around Genoa and Gipsy Point, VIC. Still several small patches of Pterostylis concinna (Trim Greenhood) out growing alongside three other greenhood species in some places in early August. P. concinna is usually the earliest greenhood out at this location with flowers seen as early as May.
Good numbers of greenhoods out now after steady winter rain is a good sign for the spring orchids which will follow. Much wetter underfoot than the last two drier winters in SE Gippsland.
#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Winter #InTheField #Nature #BloomScrolling #Greenhoods #Pterostylis
@silverdory
Late because of colder nights?
I don’t really “like” orchids, find them a bit creepy, but still fascinating. Love seeing native ones in the wild.
Ah… strange because we’ve had quite a dry winter in Melbourne this year, if not as bad as further west.
Silver Dory
Looking for explanations…
binchicken