14/04/2024
Home alone for the weekend, so of course I head out looking for some early season orchids. Heading north out of Esperance I first pull into one of our regular haunts.
To my dismay, it appears the track we used to check along is in fact a fire break. It had been re-cleared, though unfortunately a little wider this time. Thus, it cleared away the vegetation where we had previously found orchids.
I decided to expand my search in the location. I included the other side of a Salt Lake. I was excited to find some orchids over the entire search area.
The first orchid found was of the Eriochilus genus.
Due to the wavy edged leaf, I believe they are the Blunt-leaved bunny orchid (Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. brevifolius).
These orchids are listed as being found between the Murchison River and Toolinna Cove.
Flowering during the months of April, May and June.
Two specimens of the Leafless orchid (Praecoxanthus aphyllus) were found in the newly explored area past the Salt Lake.
The orchids are listed as occurring between Perth and Condingup.
Flowering during the months of March, April and May.
The common name is actually incorrect. The flowering orchids do have a leaf. However, it is minuscule (Minute bract only) when compared to the non-flowering leaf. Plus, it occurs at the very base of the flowering stem.
A farmer on a quad bike with his two dogs approached me. It appears I have been looking for orchids on his property. After discovering I was not a lost tourist, he was quite happy for me to stay.
I however decide to head back, taking one last hunt for any orchids in the old location.
Woohoo, I find one lone Hare orchid (Leporella fimbriata) growing in the shrubs alongside the newly cleared fire break.
These orchids are listed as being found between Shark Bay and Israelite Bay.
Flowering during the months of March, April, May and June.
I decide to head further north to the Red Lake Townsite Nature Reserve. This is a known location for the 4th early season orchid I am chasing today.
As luck would have it after walking along the track for quite a while, I finally find the Pygmy orchid (Corunastylis fuscoviridis).
The orchids are listed as occurring between Corrigin and Eucla.
Flowering during the months of March, April and May.
I finish the day a happy Chappy as I managed to find 4 of the early season orchids flowering.
Each species was from a different genus:
Eriochilus,
Praecoxanthus,
Leporella,
Corunastylis.
