OK so we finally arrive at the promised land. The burnt area near Jerramungup. We spend just short of 1hr walking around the burnt-out landscape and find the Red beaks as expected in good numbers, however the other orchids were few and far between. They are recorded below as usual.
Red beaks (Pyrorchis nigricans)
Habitat: Found between Shark and Israelite Bays, growing in sandy, sandy-clay and lateritic soils in forests, woodlands and scrublands. With rare exceptions, plants flower only in the season following a summer fire.
Season: August to October
Purple enamel orchid (Elythranthera brunonis)
Habitat: Found between Kalbarri and Israelite Bay, growing in sandy, sandy-clay and lateritic soils in forests, woodlands and scrublands.
Season: August to early November
Cowslip orchid (Caladenia flava subsp. flava)
Habitat: Found between Northampton and Israelite bay, growing in sandy, sandy-clay, lateritic and granitic soils in forests, woodlands and scrublands. In inland areas the subspecies is found in isolated populations on granite outcrops and rocky hills.
Season: July to early December
Blue china orchid (Cyanicula gemmata)
Habitat: Found between Kalbarri and Israelite Bay, growing in coastal heaths, open forest and mallee scrubs, on sandy to clay to gravelly loam soils.
Season: August to early November
Green spider / Fringed mantis orchid (Caladenia falcata)
Habitat: Found between Wongan Hills and Jerramungup, growing in woodlands and shrublands on sandy to clay loam soils.
Season: September & October
?? sun orchid (Thelymitra sp.)
Appear to be from the Sienna sun orchid complex due to the broad leaves.
Nearly 3pm and a bit deflated, we move on westwards looking for our overnight location.
