Orchids

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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

Featured sightings

Chiloglottis reflexa (Short-clubbed Wasp Orchid) at Mongarlowe, NSW - 22 Feb 2025 by LisaH

Spiranthes australis (Austral Ladies Tresses) at Paddys River, ACT - 1 Feb 2025 by Bubbles

Chiloglottis valida (Large Bird Orchid) at Glen Allen, NSW - 3 Nov 2024 by RobG1

Dipodium interaneum (Yellow Hyacinth Orchid) by LeahColebrook

Thelymitra ixioides (Dotted Sun Orchid) at Charleys Forest, NSW - 24 Oct 2021 by arjay

Oligochaetochilus aciculiformis (Needle-point rustyhood) at Acton, ACT - 9 Oct 2024 by BB23

Caladenia fuscata (Dusky Fingers) at Acton, ACT - 14 Sep 2024 by BB23

Glossodia major (Wax Lip Orchid) at Acton, ACT - 9 Oct 2024 by BB23

Latest sightings

Acianthus collinus (Inland Mosquito Orchid) by Bubbles

Diplodium decurvum (Summer greenhood) at Cotter River, ACT - 28 Dec 2024 by Tapirlord

Gastrodia surcula (Snowgum potato orchid) at Cotter River, ACT - 29 Dec 2024 by Tapirlord

Gastrodia procera (Tall Potato Orchid) at Cotter River, ACT - 29 Dec 2024 by Tapirlord

Pterostylis monticola (Large Mountain Greenhood) at Cotter River, ACT - 29 Dec 2024 by Tapirlord

Pterostylis monticola (Large Mountain Greenhood) at Cotter River, ACT - 4 Jan 2025 by Tapirlord

Diuris monticola (Highland Golden Moths) at Tharwa, ACT - 14 Dec 2024 by Tapirlord

Dipodium interaneum (Yellow Hyacinth Orchid) by Tapirlord

Thelymitra cyanea (Veined Sun Orchid) at Cotter River, ACT - 27 Dec 2024 by Tapirlord

Dipodium punctatum (Blotched Hyacinth Orchid) at Bungonia, NSW - 30 Mar 2025 by DrDJDavidJ

Eriochilus cucullatus (Parson's Bands) at Cook, ACT - 8 Apr 2025 by CathB

Pterostylis aneba (Small Mountain Greenhood) at Cotter River, ACT - 12 Dec 2024 by Tapirlord

Corysanthes sp. (A Helmet Orchid) by Tapirlord

Gastrodia procera (Tall Potato Orchid) at Cotter River, ACT - 12 Dec 2024 by Tapirlord

Gastrodia sesamoides (Cinnamon Bells) at Rendezvous Creek, ACT - 2 Dec 2024 by Tapirlord

Diuris monticola (Highland Golden Moths) at Rendezvous Creek, ACT - 2 Dec 2024 by Tapirlord

Microtis unifolia (Common Onion Orchid) at Rendezvous Creek, ACT - 2 Dec 2024 by Tapirlord

Paraprasophyllum tadgellianum (Tadgell's leek orchid) at Mount Clear, ACT - 6 Dec 2024 by Tapirlord

Chiloglottis seminuda (Turtle Orchid) by AJB

Chiloglottis reflexa (Short-clubbed Wasp Orchid) at Wyanbene, NSW - 15 Apr 2024 by AJB

Diplodium sp. (A Greenhood) at Cooma, NSW - 7 Apr 2025 by mahargiani

Diplodium ampliatum (Large Autumn Greenhood) at Cooma, NSW - 7 Apr 2025 by mahargiani

Corunastylis clivicola (Rufous midge orchid) at Hackett, ACT - 6 Apr 2025 by petersan

Pterostylis sp. (A Greenhood) at Paddys River, ACT - 5 Apr 2025 by Csteele4

Corunastylis clivicola (Rufous midge orchid) at Manar, NSW - 26 Mar 2025 by RobG1

Diplodium laxum (Antelope greenhood) at Higgins, ACT - 5 Apr 2025 by MattM

Microtis unifolia (Common Onion Orchid) at Whitlam, ACT - 26 Oct 2024 by AlisonMilton

Chiloglottis curviclavia (Bird Orchid) by Paul4K

Chiloglottis seminuda (Turtle Orchid) by NedJohnston

Chiloglottis reflexa (Short-clubbed Wasp Orchid) at Berlang, NSW - 1 Apr 2025 by NedJohnston

Corysanthes hispida (Bristly Helmet Orchid) at Paddys River, ACT - 29 Mar 2025 by Bubbles

Diplodium sp. (A Greenhood) at Cooma, NSW - 1 Apr 2025 by mahargiani

Diplodium decurvum at Cooma, NSW - 1 Apr 2025 by mahargiani

Eriochilus cucullatus (Parson's Bands) at Sutton, NSW - 30 Mar 2025 by mlech

Diplodium reflexum (Dainty Greenhood) at Denman Prospect, ACT - 11 Mar 2025 by RobG1

Diplodium ampliatum (Large Autumn Greenhood) at Fadden, ACT - 13 Mar 2025 by AnneG1

Eriochilus cucullatus (Parson's Bands) at Oaks Estate, ACT - 29 Mar 2025 by Zoed

Acianthus exsertus (Large Mosquito Orchid) at Rossi, NSW - 27 Mar 2025 by Csteele4

Chiloglottis sp. (A Bird/Wasp Orchid) by Csteele4

Diplodium coccinum (Scarlet Greenhood) at Tharwa, ACT - 18 Mar 2025 by RobG1

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Discussion

Clarel wrote:

Yesterday

Thanks for confirming, wouldn’t normally take photos of leaves but (easy to find) orchids are a bit scarce at the moment.

Pterostylis sp.

Tapirlord wrote:

Yesterday

Yeah probably concinna

Pterostylis sp.

Mikebreheny wrote:

18 Apr 2025

Not the Sydney rock orchid spiciocum as it's flowering now, fleshier to touch, smaller, flower spikes are different. I've heard it called the, smelly dog orchid, ?? Plenty of the larger Sydney rock orchid in the area.

Cestichis reflexa

Snowflake wrote:

16 Apr 2025

Nice photos.

Corunastylis striata

Tapirlord wrote:

11 Apr 2025

South West Western Australia is now clear of plant sightings 11/04/25

Thelymitra macrophylla