Orchid field guide

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.

Corunastylis formosa (Cathcart Midge Orchid)

Corunastylis nuda (Tiny Midge Orchid)

Corunastylis oligantha (Mongarlowe Midge Orchid)

Corunastylis ostrina (Purple Midge Orchid)

Corunastylis plumosa (Tallong Midge Orchid)

Corunastylis rufa (Red Midge Orchid)

Corunastylis sp. (A Midge Orchid)

Corunastylis superba (Superb Midge Orchid)

Corunastylis turfosa (Alpine midge orchid)

Corybas sp. (A Helmet Orchid)

Corysanthes fimbriata (Fringed Helmet Orchid)

Corysanthes grumula (Stately helmet orchid)

Corysanthes hispida (Bristly Helmet Orchid)

Corysanthes incurva (Slaty Helmet Orchid)

Corysanthes sp. (A Helmet Orchid)

Cyanicula caerulea (Blue Fingers, Blue Fairies)

Cyrtostylis reniformis (Common Gnat Orchid)

Diplodium aestivum (Long-tongued Summer Greenhood)

Diplodium alveatum (ACT) = Pterostylis alveata (NSW) (Coastal Greenhood)

Diplodium ampliatum (Large Autumn Greenhood)

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