A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Chiloglottis sylvestris
A terrestrial small deciduous plant, often all that is seen are 2 opposing flat leaves laying parallel with the ground (approx size up to 70mm each leaf); the orchid flower is held high on a thin stalk with varying shades of green, cream & maroon colouring on both the stem & flower; flower reaches up to 26mm in total length, although many of these specimens were well below that; the small wasp orchid is so small it can be easily missed & walked on. Insect pollinated by sexual deception as the flower mimics a female wasp. native to Australia.
Found in coastal mid to northern regions of NSW & into Queensland in moist areas often fringing creeks and bordering drier woodlands. Found also in more southern regions, may be overlooked & could be occurring in areas not explored. This colony found near a creek with fringing dry woodland & dry rainforest remnant emerging from heavy leaf litter in sandy soil.
Sometimes the smallest things are the most beautiful, there is such microscopic detail in the structure of these orchids
8 Comments
Thanks Shanna & Mohammad. Hoping to find more little treasures soon as the landscape comes alive after the rain. The weather is still warm for this time of year so there are things emerging that wouldn't normally.
Wow, REALLY nice find!
looks more like a praying mantis ... nice find
Thanks MacC.
Nice find KD
Thank you Lauren & Leanne! They are exquisite & so delicate. Not easy to see but walking with an authority on orchids who has an eagle eye for them & has illustrated many minute specimens does help!
Amazing! What a great find. Nice one kd :)
This is great kd! Beautiful picture.