Thursday, October 22, 2009

A Beard, A Sun and A White Petelochilus carnea

It's been a wonderful orchid season here and as a baby botanist still on her training wheels with regard to Australia's Native Orchids, I would like to make a public acknowledgement; Denis Wilson from the Peony Den Blog. Denis, thank you for your encouragement and your research above and beyond the call of duty!. Without people like you lending a friendly hand, the exercise alone would be pretty daunting for people like me!

Another thrill! I found this Bearded Orchid growing with my previously posted Diuris orientis (Wallflower Donkey Orchid) which I found earlier on the verge of heathy bushland.

I believe it is Calochilus Robertsonii, endemic to my region. It's common name is the Purple Beard Orchid.

(Click images to enlarge)



This next one, I believe to be Thelymitra rubra aka the Salmon Sun Orchid. These were also growing in the same spot as the Wallflowers and the Bearded Orchid but at the time, were not fully open. I found these ones in full flower just across the road.


Today, I decided to check a fungi haunt of mine. It's private property.
I was gradually building up a bit of despondency, having only found a few small plots of Petalochilus carnea. However, I came across a small collection of the Hooded Caladenia, Stegostyla cucullata, growing on a macropod path.

I snooped around and found this lovely white form of Petalochilus carnea. I am calling this one because of the horizontal purple banding inside and outside the labellum.



It's not over yet, folks. I will be out and about Orchid Country very soon.







8 comments:

Denis Wilson said...

Hi JL
.
Thank you for the kind words.
I just noticed it now - Blogger had a massive spasm during the day and some things are not working, such as the updating function of the links.
.
Nice images of the Calochilus robertsonii. One of my favourites. If you get a chance, look inside the next one you see - they look like the eyes and face of a Squid or some other deep-sea creature. (I shall post a couple of images in two days time).
.
White form of Petalochilus carnea looks right to me. That's always hard to determine.
.
The Thelymitra rubra is more difficult. It really depends on size (height of stem) and number of flowers per stem.
Minute details of the relative length of the "column" are very hard to determine by photos.
Thelymitra carnea is recorded in the Grampians.
Theluymnitra rubra is said to be tall and multiflowered. My T. Carneas here are very short (6 inches only) and have only 2 flowers per stem.
So, that's a bit of a "maybe - consider T. carnea" depending on the shortness of the stems.
My photos of T. carnea will be up in two days, with my Beard Orchid.
(I am having to work through a back log of photos - it is peak season at present.
Cheers
Denis

Cheers
Denis

Junior Lepid said...

Thanks again for your help, Denis.

Yes, I noticed Blogger had a huge flame-out yesterday.

These Sun Orchids were all on long stems. There were quite a few buds waiting backstage. I found them on the day they were just starting to open. I take your advice onboard. I think I read somewhere T. rubra has a reddish band acrose the top of the column -but so may others.

Same with the Beard. It had just opened. I will check it again as it had other buds yet to open.

Denis Wilson said...

Hi JL
OK, If your Rubras are tall, then they are T. rubras. My T. carneas are only as tall as my hand.
Your Calochilus robertsonii is a classic one. No doubt about the species there. I was just referring to a surprise awaiting you inside the flower, if you get your lens pointed right inside.
I have done something I have never done before, that is posted a blog in advance.
It should appear at 10:00am (hopefully AEST - not US Pacific Time). If it appears, it will be the purple Diuris. D. punctata. They are found in your area too. Lovely plants. Something else to watch out for.
Cheers
Denis

Denis Wilson said...

HI JL
Are you OK?
You've gone quiet.
Hope all is OK.
Cheers
Denis

Gouldiae said...

G'day JL,
You are having a great orchid season over there - good one. Delightful images.
Regards,
Gouldiae

Junior Lepid said...

Thank you Denis and Gouldiae,

Sorry, I haven't logged in for a week or more.

Denis, I have had to deal with a loved pet in the final stages of renal disease. He was put to sleep last Wednesday morning (28/10) I tend to drop my cakes a bit when a loved 4-legged member of the family is no longer with us!

Anyway, I'm back on deck now!

I have not been out and about, obviously but hopefully, later in the week, I might be able to.

Gouldiae, I've been keeping an eye on your blog too - you've been finding some nice orchids. As Denis has said and I agree with him, it's interesting to see us getting the same species almost to the day!

Denis Wilson said...

Hi JL
Sorry to hear of your loss. Four legged friends can be a big part of the family.
I sensed something was amiss.
Glad to hear from you again.
Denis

Junior Lepid said...

Thanks Denis,

I should have mentioned it earlier. I tend to go to ground for several days when this sort of thing happens.