Enamel

Road Trip – Day 17 – Petrudor to Walyormouring

Western Australian Orchids

17/9/2017

We wake to another beautiful spring morning, have breakfast , break camp and head south to Ballidu for morning tea. We check out the area where we found numerous orchids last year in August, however this time we only find some donkey orchids. As they have erect petals and broad, spreading lateral lobes to the labellum, I believe them to be Pale donkey orchids (Diuris sp. ‘mid-north’).

Erect petals and recurved apex to dorsal sepal
Dorsal sepal and lateral lobes have slight reddish edges
Broad reflexed dorsal sepal

Further south we go turning east at Kondut, then travelling south again to Reynoldson Flora Reserve. No orchids found but an unusual grevillea was prolific. Prickly Toothbrushes (Grevillea armigera). Verticordia the flower this reserve is famous for was just starting to flower as well.

Easy to see where the common name comes from
One of the 11 varieties that flower in this reserve. Best October – November

We pop into Wongan Hills, buy some supplies, have a counter lunch at the pub then head up to the Wongan Wildflower Walk to see if we can be lucky with finding some orchids. Deb is the lucky one who finds some very small Frog greenhoods (Pterostylis sargentii)  growing under bushes. Last August we found many spider orchids under the same bushes. Not this year though.

Short, broad, cupped lateral sepals joined at the base
Up to 6 green to dark brown, white banded flowers
United dorsal sepal and petals forming a hood over the column
50 to 200 mm high with 3 to 10 stem leaves 8 to 30 mm long.

Further along the walk we find some Purple enamel orchids (Elythranthera brunonis)  and some donkey orchids. From their features I am naming these Common donkey orchid (Diuris corymbosa) as they flower August to October and range from Gingin to Bunbury. Our location is a little ways Northeast however Atlas of Living Australia has a recorded sighting near Wongan Hills.

Short spreading petals and sepals
Small membranous labellum with two large, black basal calli
Yellow, brown and purple flowers
Broad, elongated petals.

Further along we finally find something from the Caladenia family. Ant orchid (Caladenia roei) found under a prickle bush. Taking photos proved a challenge however we had to get a shot.  Next came patches of Cowslip orchids (Caladenia flava subsp. flava)

Common widespread fairy orchid
Also called Clown orchid, Man orchid and Jack-in-the-box.
This one has crossed his legs.
Short down swept petals and lateral sepals
Smooth-margined, greenish-yellow labellum

Then on the way back to the Triton we find more donkey and enamel orchids.

Large black calli
Recurved dorsal sepal
Glossy look
Elongated petals

Leaving Wongan Hills we take the wrong turn which heads us south so we picked another route to take us back  north to Gathercole Nature Reserve. We spend the next 40 mins scouring over the granite outcrops looking for the elusive new find. More donkey orchids and Cowslips orchids were found plus a first for the day; (Prasophyllum gracile complex).  Unsure of exact species due to it being well past it’s prime.

Index finger size comparison
State of flower makes it difficult to distinguish exact species
Usual yellow colouring
Unsure of exact species

We then move North East to Dingo Rock Nature Reserve where further donkey and leek orchids are found. Exact species again not known which is a little disappointing, but we are no experts.

Exact species unknown
Appear to be Little laughing leek orchids but not 100% sure

We then made tracks East to Manmanning Nature Reserve, however no real place to pull over and as time was moving along we decided to travel south west to Oak Park picnic area to camp for the night. This little place has toilets facilities and picnic table and was situated on the banks of a creek that flows into Walyormourning Lake. A quick look around but nothing found.

6 named species found and others unable to be named. Not too bad a day. Here’s to tomorrow.

Road Trip – Day 16 – Arrino to Petrudor

Western Australian Orchids

16/9/2017

From our camp in Arrino we back track west then south to Hydraulic Road where we make our first stop of the day. Nothing found so we drive further east to a creek crossing then stop for another look. Wow there are so many Purple enamel orchids (Elythranthera brunonis) and then on the other side of the creek Deb finds some Cowslip orchids (Caladenia flava subsp. flava). 

up to 3 glossy-purple flowers
Named in honour of the famous naturalist Robert Brown
Underside of petals and sepals is spotted
Marking on petals and dorsal sepals vary greatly
Orchid with clumping habit.

This was also the area we were directed to find some spider orchids. Spent Pterostylis found first then some spider orchids well passed their best.

Way past it’s time
Unknown species well past it’s best.

So back to Three Springs to fuel up and onwards through Carnamah to Bunjil. Turning south we travel through Latham and make a orchid hunting stop at Buntine Rock. (Mud Map N38) We park the Triton and make our way to the rock by foot. Lemon-scented sun orchids (Thelymitra antennifera) are the first to be found , quickly followed by many small Donkey orchids. They appear to be Pale donkey orchids (Diuris sp. ‘mid-north’) as they are very pale in colour and small in size.

From the Latin ‘antennifer’ (antennae) and fero (to bear) alluding to the antennae-like column lobes
Up to 4 lemon-scented, lemon-yellow flowers
Small flowered, but these where extra small. My index finger tip.
Clumping habit

Other donkey orchids found that I am unable to name. They did not fit the description given to the two species that are recorded from around these parts.

Confusing aspects such as : More colourful;  lateral sepals that hang rather than being reflexed; reflexed or upright petals; upright dorsal sepal. Pictures posted as evidence of these variations.

Hanging lateral sepals
Crossed lateral sepals but not reflexed
Possible Dainty donkey orchid (Diuris refracta)
Rocky granite habit
Vivid yellow with minimal markings
Broad lateral lobes to labellum
Broad , rounded , erect petals
Small flowered

Our next orchid hunting stop was at Miamoon Reserve (Mud Map N40), which is southwest of Wubin. We walked around this flat granite outcrop which still had some wet areas which allowed us to find a new species for this trip. First up though were more donkey orchids which now appear to be Dainty donkey orchids (Diuris refracta), which flower late July to early September between Bindoon and Northampton. Also found were more Lemon-scented sun orchids.

Reflexed petals and dorsal sepal.
Prominently reflexed, sometimes crossed, lateral sepals
Found between Shark Bay and Israelite Bay
Clumping habit
Antennae like column lobes

The new species found is Common bee orchid (Diuris decrementa) which flowers from late August to early November in an area from North of Perth to Esperance. We must be in the northern margins of its territory.

Forward projecting lateral sepals
Broad petals
Small, yellow, brown marked flowers
Clumping habit
Obliquely erect, tapering dorsal sepal

Final orchids found for the day were some spent Little laughing leek orchids and more Lemon-scented sun orchids.

Fertilised with seed pods growing
Trusted trio

We then made tracks heading south through Dalwallinu and turning east at Pithara. Finally we turn south down Petrudor Rd and make camp at Petrudor Rock. Before the sun sets we go for a walk around the rock but find no orchids.

6 species flowering with 3 other s past their prime. Not too bad a day.

Road Trip – Day 15 – Canna to Arrino

Western Australian Orchids

15/9/2017

After breakfast I take a little walk around our campsite in Canna (Mud Map N30) and finally find some orchids. It has been many days since we left Charles Darwin Reserve where the last orchids found were located. Pale donkey orchid (Diuris sp. ‘mid-north’) appears to be the orchid found, with only a few scattered individuals encountered. These orchids flower late August to late September and are found between Moora and Mingenew. Canna being only 60kms NW of Mingenew.

Off to find some orchids, whilst Deb and Richard enjoy a cuppa
Small flowered donkey orchid 200 to 350 mm in height with two to three basal leaves
Broad reflexed dorsal sepal
Narrow, prominently reflexed, crossed lateral sepals
Dorsal sepal and labellum lateral lobes have light reddish-brown edges

We say our goodbyes to Richard at the Canna Hall, then before heading off, we decide to take the Wildflower walk to Canna Church Rock. First up were more donkey orchids but then we find some Dainty blue orchids (Cyanicula amplexans). At the rock picnic area we come across some Lemon scented sun orchids (Thelymitra antennifera) and some Cowslip orchids (Caladenia flava subsp. flava), plus more donkey orchids.

We said our goodbyes to Richard
Tri-lobed labellum with broad, spreading lateral lobes and a short, flattened to convex mid lobe.
Pale version with long petals and sepals
Darker version with shorter petals and sepals
Size comparison with index finger
Distinctive column with a yellow crested mid-lobe and reddish-brown, ear-like lateral lobes
Broad spreading petals and sepals
With a little green friend
Short, broad petals and sepals
Up to 7 pale-yellow, light-brown flowers

After the walk we had awesome showers for a donation, then made our way south to Bilya Rock. No real parking area, so we pull alongside the track as best we could with camper trailer in tow. Onto the rock and the only colour immediately visible is Yellow. Lemon-scented sun orchids, Pale donkey orchids and Cowslip orchids were found. Some of the donkey orchids could be Dainty donkey orchids due to the reflexed petals however it is very difficult to tell.

Dark eyebrows and yellow nose
Up to 7 pale yellow flowers
Trio
Small rounded erect petals
Broad spreading lateral lobes to labellum
With his spiky friend

We checked out War Rock which was surrounded by paddocks, so was overrun with weeds. Time to make tracks for Three Springs as we had to get to the bank. We also took the time to have another counter lunch, this time at the Commercial Hotel. We asked for orchid locations at the Tourist bureau and was given a map with places marked for possible sightings, however the lady informed us it has not been a great year and things flowered earlier than usual this season. We made our way around Dookanooka Nature Reserve and was lucky enough to find some Cowslip orchids early on, then much later some Purple enamel orchids (Elythanthera brunonis). First for this season as they flower August to early November on a large range from Kalbarri to Israelite Bay.

3 and rarely 4 flowers
Small membranous labellum with two large, black basal calli

Nothing else found so we make tracks to Arrino for our next overnight camp.               Only 5 known species found today, which was a slow start to our orchid hunting as we move south away from the dry north.

These distinctive signs are all over Wildflower Country.
Ready for a drink and rest