Last summer, La Niña’s wet weather brought with it both floods and a recharge for our catchments and forests resulting in beautiful displays of flowering orchids throughout SEQ. Australia has an estimated 1,900 described orchid species that vary from evergreen epiphytes (in trees), lithophytes (on rocks), climbing orchids and terrestrial (ground) orchids.
This article splits orchids into three main groups: epiphytes, lithophytes and terrestrial orchids and describes a few common species that hopefully you may see this summer.
Orchids are easiest to see when they are in full flower and are easy to forget, or undetectable, when not in bloom. If conditions are unfavourable, ten years can pass between flowering events. Almost all terrestrial orchids are seasonal and deciduous with an annual dormant period where the plants are not visible above the ground. After flowering, most terrestrial orchids dieback to a tuber or rhizome, which persist in the soil. The exceptions are Christmas orchids (Calanthe spp.), tongue orchids (Cryptostylis spp.) and swamp orchids (Phaius spp.), which are evergreen with leaves present throughout the year.
Sadly, terrestrial orchids account for 15 species in the top 100 Australian plant species at risk of extinction according to the Action Plan for Australia’s Imperilled Plants 2021. Land clearing, urbanisation and inappropriate fire regimes are known key threats to epiphytic and terrestrial orchids. As we protect and conserve our forests, wetlands and heathland, it is important to observe and understand some of the more cryptic, unique and sometimes invisible species that make up ecosystems. I hope we will continue to see this diverse family of plants flourish.
Article and photos by De-Anne Attard Land for Wildlife Officer Sunshine Coast Council
References and Further Reading
Copeland LM & Backhouse GN (2022) Guide to Native Orchids of NSW and ACT. CSIRO Publishing.
Jones DL (2021) A Complete Guide to Native Orchids of Australia. 3rd Ed. Reed New Holland.
Leiper G, Cox D, Glazebrook J & Rathie K (2017) Mangroves to Mountains. 2nd Ed. Logan River Branch, Native Plants Qld.
Sun Orchids (Thelymitra spp.) are one of the most widespread orchids across Australia. Even though they are common, they can still be difficult to spot amongst dense heath and other groundcovers. The Wallum Sun Orchid (Thelymitra purpurata) can be found along track edges and in dense wallum heath. They flower from August to January but can be easily missed as flowers only tend to open when the sun is out.
Donkey Orchids (Diuris spp.) can be found in various ecosystems across SEQ, from wallum heathlands to eucalypt forest ridges. As the common name suggests, this Wallum Yellow Donkey Orchid (Diuris unica) grows on sandy soils in coastal wallum heathlands and flowers late winter to spring.
Blotched Hyacinth Orchids (Dipodium punctatum) grow in both wet or dry eucalypt forests. This orchid is also saprophytic (acquiring nutrients from dissolved organic matter) and has reduced leaves and up to 60 spotted bright pink flowers on a single stem. The flowers can be seen from November to March and often appear after rainfall. Keep an eye out for this beauty when walking through eucalypt forests throughout SEQ.
One of my favourite local orchids is the Christmas Orchid
(Calanthe triplicata). These orchids have a tall flower stalk full
of large white showy flowers (with yellow calli on the labellum).
Known to bloom around December, you can see these orchids
flowering from October to January. If you are lucky enough to be
hiking through Conondale National Park at the right time of year,
you may see the edges of walking tracks dominated by these
orchids. The broad palm-like leaves of this species are easily
spotted all year round and are a spectacle even when they are not
in flower.
Lithophytic Orchids
Lithophytic orchids can be split yet again into two categories. Species that grow on rocks are obligate lithophytes and species that grow on rocky substrate (rocks and soil) are facultative lithophytes. The following orchids are generally found growing on rocks or in a mix of rocks and soil substrates but there are exceptions to every rule, where occasionally they have been seen growing on trees.
Pink Rock Orchids (Dendrobium kingianum) most commonly grow on large boulders and rocks in montane environments. A common orchid, this species is known to hybridise with other Dendrobium species. Pink Rock Orchids flower from August to October and can often be seen as pink flowering masses growing with other lithophytic ferns and groundcovers on the sides of steep cliff faces in SEQ.
The Tiny Strand Orchid (Bulbophyllum exiguum) is known to be both epiphytic and lithophytic. The first time I encountered this species was in the late summer of 2021 in a deep ravine of a tributary of the upper Stanley River. The small flowers and bulbous fruit stood out on the rockface. These orchids flower from February to May with large plants and inflorescences visible cascading down rock faces in rainforest, wet sclerophyll and open eucalypt forests.
Epiphytic Orchids
Epiphytic orchids grow on trees and dead timber and can be encountered across northern and eastern Australia. Two commonly occurring epiphytic orchids of SEQ are the Giant Boat-lipped Orchid or Native Cymbidium (Cymbidium madidum) and Snake Orchid, Cymbidium suave, shown above. Cymbidium suave mainly establishes in tree hollows but can be found with C. madidum in fallen trees and logs on the forest floor. These orchids have beautiful flowering displays from August to February with bright yellow, pendulous inflorescences.
Another commonly occurring epiphytic orchid is the Brushbox Feather Orchid (Dendrobium radiatum*), which can be seen growing on the trunks of Brushbox (Lophostemon confertus) trees. Similar species include the Ironbark Feather Orchid (D. aemulum) that grows on ironbark trees, the Rainforest Feather Orchid (D. deuteroeburneum*) that grows on a variety of host trees in wet eucalypt and rainforests, and the Forest Oak Feather Orchid (D. angustum*) that grows almost exclusively on Forest Sheoak (Allocasuarina torulosa) and infrequently on Black Wattle (Callicoma serratifolia). These orchids flower locally from August to October and have white feathery petals which can be seen draping off the trunks of host trees.
Finally, an epiphytic orchid that you will see mostly in rainforests is Myrtle Bells (Sarcochilus hillii). It usually grows in gallery rainforest and most often on Grey Myrtle (Backhousia myrtifolia) or occasionally on rock faces. Although relatively common, this small epiphytic orchid can be easily overlooked in the rainforest due to its dark leaves and very small, short-lived flowers. Keep a close eye out for the slender leaves and small pendant white to pale pink flowers from October to December.
*Scientific names as per Guide to Native Orchids of NSW and ACT (2022), reviewed on pg 13.
Just wondering if you can tell me where to buy a native Snake Orchid, Cymbidium Save to be planted in the forest bordering our property. I have the Giant Boat-lip orchid growing already.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Di Thomas, Land for Wildlife VIC but now living in Buderim, Sunshine Coast
Can you buy any of these beautiful orchids?
Hello Land for Wildlife,
Just wondering if you can tell me where to buy a native Snake Orchid, Cymbidium Save to be planted in the forest bordering our property. I have the Giant Boat-lip orchid growing already.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Di Thomas, Land for Wildlife VIC but now living in Buderim, Sunshine Coast
Hi Di. You might want to contact a native plant nursery on the Sunshine Coast, like Forest Heart nursery. https://www.forestheart.com.au/