25/08/2018

The previous afternoon in the fading light we checked out the area around the camper where we found little but rubbish. Deb and I split up for the walk back to the camper and I was lucky enough to stumble across a shell orchid in a runoff. No camera or phone so returned this morning to grab a snap. They appear to be the Dwarf shell orchid (Pterostylis brevichila) as they do not have a protruding labellum.  They flower July through September in a range between Hyden and Mt Ragged. Found a few more so grabbed some pics before heading off to Broomehill, where we are meeting up with Richard.

Size comparison of the first found orchid

Short, straight labellum, not visible in the set position

Brown-striped and white flowers

Large colonies of leaves with very few flowering plants.

Four to five stem leaves, 10 – 25mm long and 4 to 5mm wide.

Size comparison to index finger

Appears to be laughing

We make our way back to the South Coast Hwy and head west to Kukenarup memorial, another favourite haunt. Straight up we find a Dancing spider orchid (Caladenia discoidea) which flower August to early October in a range from Israelite Bay to Kalbarri.   

Four or more rows of purplish black calli

Single erect hairy leaf 80 to 180mm long

Horizontally spreading petals and lateral sepals

Many more donkey orchids were found which appear to be the South coast donkey orchid (Diuris sp. ‘south coast’) due to the recurved lateral sepals. The Green range donkey orchid occupies the same range however is recorded as having reflexed lateral sepals.  Also located was a great specimen of the Jug orchid (Pterostylis recurva) which flower August to October from Geraldton to Israelite Bay. 

Up to 10 flowers

Broad petals and dorsal sepal

Growing in the good olde prickly Resurrection Plant

Prominently recurved lateral sepals, joined at the base

Up to 5 flowers

Time to move on, so we make tracks for Jerramungup, where we stop for toilets and also purchased some forgotten items. Next stop is just past Ongerup, in Jaekel St,  where we find more donkey orchids. This time though they appear to be Green Range donkey orchids (Diuris littoralis) which flower July to September from Denmark to Esperance. Nearby though are some pale yellow donkey orchids which could be Western wheatbelt donkey orchids (Diuris brachyscapa) which flower July to September in a range bordered by York, Tenterden and Ravensthorpe. Then back on the Gnowangerup-Jerramungup Road  we find the Green range donkey orchid in large numbers.  

Up to 10 flowers

Reflexed lateral seapls

Nice group shot

Broad petals and dorsal sepal

So many plants

Labellum – Broad spreading lateral lobes and a broad, flattened to convex mid lobe

Pale yellow brown marked flowers

Also located in these areas were a few scattered Sugar orchids (Ericksonella saccharata), which are found over a huge range from Paynes Find to Israelite Bay, flowering during August and September.  Plus a nice bright yellow Cowslip orchid (Caladenia flava subsp. flava), which flowers July to early December in a range from Geraldton to Israelite Bay.

Common inland orchid

White horizontal petals and lateral sepals

Yellow , red marker flowers

Arriving in Broomehill half an hour late, we find Richard and his matching Red Triton and camper parked outside the hotel. We make our way on foot to the Henry Jones Winery & Café for a coffee and one of the best BLT in Turkish bread ever. A leisurely walk back to the Tritons through the village of Broomehill, then we head out to an old historic bridge for a look. At the Wadjekanup Bridge we put the Tritons through a river crossing which they pass with flying colours. If only the water was this clear on the Holland Track !!!!. 

Waiting on the BLT’s

Having lunch in Broomehill

Now the adventure really begins. We head north out of Broomehill, before turning right over the railway line and onto a single lane track. Welcome to the “Holland Track”. Looks great so far, as we drive down between green farming fields, before turning west into a patch of bush. Here we chose to camp the night, at a nice early time of 4.15pm. After making camp, I decide to check out the location for any orchids. Deb and Richard are collecting wood and lighting our camp fire, when I stumble across some large bright Cowslip orchids and a large hood of Hairy-stemmed snail orchids (Pterostylis sp. ‘inland’) 

Minimal red markings on this specimen

Double header

Hood of snails – pale members

Nice hood

Hairs on stem clearly visible

Debbie and Richard now join the hunt. Many more Cowslips and Snail orchids were found. Debbie also finds some great Blue beards (Pheladenia deformis) which flower late May to October between Murchison River and Israelite Bay in WA, plus they are also found in NSW, VIC, TAS and SA. 

The so called beard is much darker than the rest of the orchid

Upright labellum

Uniformly coloured petals and sepals

Petals held back

Getting late and with fading light we head back to the camp fire for a relaxing night after such a great day finding 10 orchid species.