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.
Announcements
There are currently no announcements.
Discussion
Gastrodia procera
Pterostylis sp.
Significant sightings
- Pterostylis alpina at Cotter River, ACT
- Caladenia congesta at Uriarra Village, ACT
- Calochilus saprophyticus at Tharwa, ACT
- Diuris aurea at Bango, NSW
- Caladenia montana at Cotter River, ACT
- Diuris punctata
- Thelymitra megcalyptra at Hackett, ACT
- Diuris aurea at Burra Creek, NSW
- Speculantha multiflora
- Chiloglottis cornuta at Jagumba, NSW
Top contributors
- AaronClausen 1.3K
- CathB 1.2K
- AlanS 1K
- TobiasHayashi 986
- Tapirlord 939
- AnneG1 551
- Csteele4 547
- RobG1 542
- MattM 502
- NedJohnston 483
Top moderators
- MattM 5K
- Tapirlord 3.2K
- TonyWood 3.1K
- CathB 2.8K
- TobiasHayashi 2.3K
- RobG1 1.3K
- DerekC 1.1K
- AlanS 1K
- MichaelMulvaney 704
- plants 406