Speddingup East NR

Late Start to Orchid Hunting: What We Found

Day Trip, Nature Reserves, Speddingup East NR, Western Australian Orchids

29/05/2025

Well, we are a bit late in our first orchid exploration this year, as it has been a hectic couple of months. Usually, we head out in late March or early April.
As our usual suspects are found north of Esperance, we head out on Dempster Road for a look.
We will mix it up, though, by visiting new locations, so our Scaddan 1 location is our first stop.

As with most early-season searches, the results are pretty average.
The first orchids found were specimens of the Banded greenhood (Pterostylis vittata), which is found growing between Perth and Israelite Bay from late-April to early September.

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The only other orchid found here was the Pygmy orchid (Corunastylis fuscoviridis), which is found between Corrigin and Eucla in WA, as well as in South Australia and Victoria.
It is one of the first orchids of the season in WA, as it flowers from March through to May.

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Moved onto another nearby location, Scaddan 2; however, this proved even less successful.
The sole find here was the Hare orchid (Leporella fimbriata), which is found between Shark and Israelite Bays from March to June.

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We leave Dempster Road and head west along Scaddan Road, where we make another impromptu stop. Scaddan 3.
A rather overgrown sand track that required me to remove fallen branches or hold back overhanging shrubs to try our best not to scratch up the Mighty Triton too much.
OMG, this was nearly a waste of time. Only found another Banded greenhood and a very spent Pygmy orchid.
Pics for recording purposes.

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Moving on to our last location of the day, which is located in the Speddingup East Nature Reserve.
Here we spend around 1 hour looking around with not much luck.
This time, only further Banded greenhoods and Hare orchids were found.
Again, pics taken for recording purposes.

Driving back along the Coolgardie-Esperance Hwy, we make a quick check of our Gibson 15 location.
Here we find our Robust snail orchids, but they are only starting to sprout, so we will need to revisit if we are to catch them flowering.
Oh well, it was not such a great day out, but we did get to enjoy the fresh air and clocked up some steps, which is always good for us.
Until next time!!

Pterostylis dilatata sprouting

Solo search North

Day Trip, Nature Reserves, Red Lake Townsite NR, Road Trip, Speddingup East NR, Truslove North NR, Truslove Townsite NR

11/05/2019

I get to go Orchid hunting by myself today, as Debbie is flying to Perth for an Awards night with her employer. After seeing Debbie off at the Esperance airport, I head north up the Coolgardie-Esperance Hwy. My first point of call is Fleming Grove Road. This is the 2nd visit of the season to this location, with the first turning up nothing. Let’s hope today is more fruitful.

A little white flower catches my eye. A White bunny orchid is found however on closer inspection of the leaf it appears to be a Crinkle-leafed bunny orchid (Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. undulates) which begin flowering in April over a large range from Northampton to east of Esperance and inland to Mt Jackson and Queen Victoria Rocks. This classification may be incorrect as one plant has 4 flowers and my references state they have up to 3. Also I don’t have a clear photo of the leaf due to surrounding vegetation. Other bunny orchids were found with less flowers which may confirm my classification.

Nice dual flower specimen
White forward spreading lateral sepals
Hairy labellum

Also found were some early Pterostylis genus orchids. Seems to be yet to fully open greenhood. Nothing more found so moving on to the next location.

Greenhood

Getting ready to emerge

Speddingup East Nature Reserve is that location. Driving slowly in first gear, I glance out the drivers window in a vain attempt at orchid spotting. Nothing seen at all so a bit despondently I turn around to head back to the road when I glance a gravelly track leading into the scrub. Why not give that a try, on foot this time, as it is very overgrown and too narrow, even for the Triton.

Nothing found here either, so I head into the scrub, for the walk back to the Triton. So glad I did, as there all by itself I find a perfect example of the Leafless orchid (Praecoxanthus aphyllus). This specimen stood 230mm in height and still looked fresh given they flower March to May. They range between Pinjarra and Esperance growing in sandy soils in scrublands and woodlands.

Standing proud

Over 230mm in height
Colours in the shade

Feeling so much better now, I head off for Truslove North Nature Reserve. Turning just past the School site I slowly drive but find nothing. Parking up for a bite to eat, I call up Deb to find she had just arrived at her hotel. After a chat I go for a walk into the scrub, however do not find anything, so move onto the next locality.

Passing through Grass Patch to my destination of Red Lake Townsite Nature Reserve, where I enter at the school site. Again I slowly drive through looking out my window, with no luck at spying any orchids. So I get out and wander around on foot, which still brings up nada.

OK, so today is not proving very successful, however I continue on my trip further north, with my next stop at Salmon Gums. A little disheartened, I sit in the Triton listening to the final quarter of the Collingwood v Carlton AFL match. After some heart stopping moments Collingwood win, which improves my mood, so I move on to our spot for orchid hunting.

This spot was proving orchid-less as well, when on my way back to the Triton, walking along the side of the road ditch I see a little orchid, all by itself. Finally found a Pygmy orchid (Corunastylis tepperi) in flower after only finding spent ones in previous years. Only the very top of the inflorescence though is still open with the majority finished for the season. These little guys flower April and May only, from Corrigin to Eyre.

Standing tall – Well 100mm
3 flowers left and a little fiend

So lucky to have found the one and only Pygmy orchid as he proves to be the last orchid I find today. On the way back home, I call into Circle Valley, Grass Patch arboretum, Truslove Townsite Nature Reserve and Scaddan, which all prove to be void of orchids. Well at least I didn’t find any.

Late afternoon sunshine
Sunset through the smoke
Posts marking the middle of 3 rows for each tree.
Very dry and barren
Sign says it all
Natures colours

Oh well, it was a nice day out but only 3 species found. 2 were single specimens, so I was very lucky to have found them. Pterostylis orchids are starting up, so the season moves on. Such a dry start is making the hunt harder this year so far, so we can only see how it pans out going forward.