Mallee

Weekend Wandering

Day Trip, Mount Burdett NR, Nature Reserves

27/07/2019

After enjoying a wonderful breakfast at the Esperance Bird and Animal Park we take our grandson Ollie out to play on some blue metal mountains along Wittenoon road. We have previously found orchids at the site so it is a dual purpose visit.

First up Ollie and myself play in and on the blue metal mountains whilst Deb has a quick scout around. Not much found so she takes a few photos with her iPhone of the Western wispy spider orchids I found last visit and some of us playing.

  • Western wispy spider orchids
  • Small striped labellum
  • Working hard !!!
  • Boys on top of the world

Next  it’s time for Nanna (Deb) to climb the mountain with Ollie and my time for searching. I am fortunate enough to find 5 different species in a quick search:

Brittle snail orchids (Pterostylis timothyi), Banded greenhood (Pterostylis vittata), Western wispy spider orchid (Caladenia microchila), Green Range donkey orchid (Diuris littoralis) & Blue beard (Pheladenia deformis).

  • Brittle snail orchid
  • Western wispy spider orchid
  • Blue beard
  • Green range donkey orchid
  • Banded greenhood
  • Nana and Ollie still on the mountain

Not a very productive day today, as it was hard to search with the wonderful distraction of our grandson.

28/07/2019

After wetting our appetite yesterday, we head out again to broaden our search. A quick stop at the Wittenoom Road site provides more Green Range donkey orchids and Blue Beards.

  • Green Range donkey orchids
  • Blue beards

We move further north to Mount Burdett where we go on a more thorough search. Straight away we find some Banded greenhoods and Brittle snail orchids.

  • Banded greenhood
  • Brittle snail orchids
  • Brittle snail orchid rosette
  • Brittle snail orchids

Then on closer inspection some of the snail orchids appear to be a different species. They are the closely related Fawn snail orchids (Pterostylis parva) which are smaller in stature, have plumper flowers and shorter, thicker lateral sepals. They flower between Southern Cross and Israelite Bay during the months June to August.

  • Fawn snail orchid
  • Fawn snail orchid rosette

Whilst I’m still grabbing photos Deb yelps as she encounters a snake in her path. I make a wide berth around the area and by the time I catch up to her she has located another species of snail orchid. This time they are Robust snail orchids (Pterostylis dilatata) which unlike other snail orchids do not have a rosette of leaves when flowering. They are easily identified by this and differ to the Brittle and Fawn snail orchids by having numerous stem leaves. These flower between Geraldton and Israelite Bay during the months May through to August.

  • Robust snail orchid
  • Robust snail orchids

Then very close by in a bright green patch of moss Deb spies a little speck of pink. Wowsers, she has stumbled across some Pink bunny orchids (Eriochilus scaber subsp. scaber) which are found between Jurien Bay and Cape Arid National Park during the months July through September. An unusual feature of theses orchids is the leaves differ between flowering and non-flowering plants. How lucky are we to find such small orchids. These ones were no more than 40mm in height.

  • Pink bunny orchids
  • Pink bunny orchid
  • Pink bunny orchid non-flowering leaf
  • Pink bunny orchids

Another common orchid for the season is discovered which I grab a photo of to record our findings. The newly named Mallee banded greenhood (Pterostylis arbuscular) was at it’s maximum height of 150mm but has few flowers when compared to the similar Dark banded greenhood. Inland distribution between Northampton and Eyre, flowering June to early September.

  • Mallee banded greenhood
  • Mallee banded greenhood

Moving up and over the granite, we make it to the so called summit and there we locate a couple of Green-veined shell orchids (Pterostylis scabra). These orchids are found between Kalbarri and Esperance between the months May to August. They are known for their inland distribution and can be found on granite outcrops.

  • Green-veined shell orchid
  • Green-veined shell orchid

Nearby a Beautiful donkey orchid (Diuris pulchella) is found standing tall all alone on the granite. These orchids flower July to September in a restricted range between Salmon Gums , Esperance and Balladonia. They have a very distinctive coloured tri-lobed labellum

  • Beautiful donkey orchid
  • Beautiful donkey orchid

Another donkey orchid is found, however it is not another Beautiful donkey orchid. Due to being located on granite it could be the Yellow granite donkey orchid (Diuris hazeliae) however it does not have recurved later sepals. So it could be the hybrid between these two orchids (Diuris pulchella x D. hazeliae).

  • Diuris pulchella x D. hazeliae
  • Diuris pulchella x D. hazeliae

Many more snail orchids found on the way back to the car. No more Fawn snails orchids found which was disappointing.

  • Robust snail orchid
  • Brittle snail orchids
  • Brittle snail orchid hood

For lunch we move on to Mount Ridley. On the track in the first orchid found was another Mallee banded greenhood then a lonely snail orchid was found right on the edge of the track at the base of a tree. I believe it to be a Brittle sail orchid.

  • Mallee banded greenhood
  • Brittle snail orchid

After refilling ourselves with lunch we head off up the granite rock in search of orchids. First orchid found was a Banded greenhood, followed by Mallee banded greenhoods and finally some Yellow granite donkey orchids (Diuris hazeliae) which occurs between Paynes Find and Balladonia in an inland range during the months August and September. There are many just budding up but we were lucky enough to find some early flowering ones. Also found were some yet to bloom Frog greenhoods (Pterostylis sargentii) which are also an inland orchid found between Northampton and Grass Patch during July to October.

  • Banded greenhood
  • Frog greenhood
  • Mallee banded greenhood
  • Banded greenhood
  • Yellow granite donkey orchid
  • Yellow granite donkey orchid
  • Yellow granite donkey orchid

Unfortunately a storm moved in very quickly and we got caught in a downpour. Trying to shelter under some bushes I spy a Brittle snail orchid so grab a photo of him dripping wet. Once the 10 minute downpour had finished we very carefully climbed back down to the Triton, so as not to slip and injure ourselves.

  • Shelter from the downpour. Not very effective!!
  • Very wet Mt Ridley after downpour
  • Brittle snail orchid

Rather than back track we decide to take the scenic road home via Grass Patch. Even though we are wet through it was a decent orchid hunt today. 12 different species found and 1 hybrid.

July now comes to an end. Roll on August, to end a great winter season for orchids.  

Searching between the Showers

Day Trip, Myrup

20/07/2019

Today I head east to check our how the orchid season in the southeast coast of WA is progressing. As it is winter I expect to be exploring in between rain showers.

My first stop is a bitumen dump off Wittenoom Road in Neridup. I overlooked this location on my trip out here a few weeks back, so Deb reminded me off this spot. My exploration will be restricted to the edge of the clearing as the bush is dripping wet from all the rain.

As I am in the Ford Falcon today, I park just in the southern entrance to the bitumen dump, as the bushes growing in the middle of the track are too large to drive over. I begin my search moving north along the western boundary. Underneath the bushes I find a single Dark Banded greenhood (Pterostylis sanguinea) and very close-by some snail orchids. The snail orchids appear to be Brittle snail orchids (Pterostylis timothyi) due to the small rosette of pointed veined leaves and the tinge of fawn in the green and white flower. These little guys flower July through September in a range from Lake Cronin to Esperance.

  • Brown white striped flower
  • Standing 50 to 150mm in height
  • Narrow ended lateral sepals
  • Rosette
  • Fawn tinge to green white flower

Some Hare orchids (Leporella fimbriata) are found next, however are way past their best, with obvious signs of being pollinated. Hoping for something better I move onwards, when I spy some Caladenia orchids in bud. Kneeling down to grab a photo, something white catches my eye. Less than 1 metre away are some Western wispy spider orchids (Caladenia microchila) in full bloom. So exciting to find some spider orchids in flower. These guys flower July through October over a wide range from Kondinin to Madura.

  • Thickened ovary behind lateral sepals
  • Red striped labellum
  • Single erect, hairy leaf
  • Nice clumping of spiders

Continuing my search to the north of the blue metal hill, I come across a nice hood of snail orchids, then closer to the northern entrance a Banded greenhood (Pterostylis vittata) is found.

  • Growing in protective foliage
  • Pointed rosette leaves
  • Distinctive green white striped flower

Moving out of the track onto the road verge, a donkey orchid in flower is finally found. Based on the location and colouring these must be Green Range donkey orchids (Diuris littoralis) which flower July to early September in a south coastal range from Denmark to Esperance.

  • Grow up to 300mm in height
  • Colourful yellow, brown and mauve flowers
  • Reflexed lateral sepals
  • Up to six flowers per orchid

Walking along the entire verge back to the southern entrance I come across further Donkey orchids, snail orchids and banded greenhoods. So after taking some further photos, which I will not post, I decide to move to another location.

Pulling into what I believe to be the old Neridup Tennis Courts, I sit up in the car and have a bite to eat and drink, whilst a rain shower passes. I then have a quick look around and only find more Caladenia orchids budding up. Nothing in flower found unfortunately.

So onwards I go via a few more possible locations before pulling into our new Coolinup road location. Walking down this so called track the first orchid found is another Brittle snail orchid. Then I find some more Hare orchids which are also past their prime. I then move into the scrub where I come across a nice hood of snail orchids.

  • Narrow-ended lateral sepals
  • Erect ear-like petals
  • Covered in raindrops
  • Small rosette of pointed leaves
  • Lateral sepals 12-18mm in length

Upon reaching the low granite outcrop the first finding was a Cyrtostylis orchid in bud growing at the base of a bush.

  • Ground hugging leaf with growing orchid bud
  • Orchid habitat

In the bushes off the granite to the north I find many Banded greenhoods before stumbling across some Caladenia in bud.

  • Little ray of sunshine
  • 3 to 14 stem leaves
  • Getting ready to flower

It is past 2.30 in the afternoon so I start making my way back to the Ford, when I stumble across more Banded greenhoods and Brittle snail orchids. However I am nearly back at the car when some other greenhoods are found. From their size and colouring they may be Mallee Banded Greenhoods (Pterostylis arbuscula) which flower June to early September in an mostly inland range from Northampton to Eyre. Distinguishing features are short stature and few flowered inflorescence.

  • Rosette smaller than flower
  • Max of five flowers per orchid
  • Broad slightly cupped lateral sepals
  • Elongated, slightly cupped lateral sepals

I move on to the original Coolinup Road site of the small granite outcrop. Due to the lack of rain this season the puddle blocking access had not yet been filled, so access was much easier than this time last year. Whilst looking underneath the bushes for Mosquito orchids I was amazed to find some spider orchids, as I have never found them here before. They appear to be further Western wispy spider orchids, given the size of their labellum’s

  • Grow to 250mm in height
  • Erect hairy leaf 1 – 3 mm in width
  • Up to 3 white flowers
  • Small labellum
  • Often pendulous petals and lateral sepals

Upon further searching I found more greenhoods and snail orchids. Bird orchids had started but were a long way from flowering, so were the mosquito orchid, plus the larger spider orchids were also a few weeks away from flowering. Grabbed a few snaps of the Pterostylis orchids then moved on.

  • Numerous stem leaves
  • About to chomp down
  • Flattened lateral sepals hang
  • Stand up to 150mm in height
  • Narrow-ended lateral sepals
  • Rosette with veined leaves

Myrup Rd is my next destination for a quick search. Some very nice Banded greenhoods are found first followed by many emerging Caladenia orchids. Just a tad early to catch anything in flower though.

  • Up to 25 flowers per stem
  • Green and white striped flowers
  • Up to 14 stems leaves
  • Leaves and orchid covered in fine hairs
  • Uniform height

Another solo search has ended with a few orchids found. 7 species in fact

    A time when the Pterostylis ruled the Woodlands

    Day Trip, Helms Arboretum, Nature Reserves, Red Lake Townsite NR, Truslove North NR, Truslove Townsite NR

    13/07/2019

    Finally after what seems like ages, we head off on a drive to search for some orchids. First stop is the wonderful Helms Arboretum, (Mud Map SE35 ) at the snail orchid plot. Well in previous years it was the snail orchid plot, however we may be a little early this year.

    Eventually we come across some rosettes and then a few are in flower. Appears to be the species found 30/07 last year which could not be named. Western Australian Native Orchids Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/517329235050125/ identified these as an unnamed snail orchid from the South East.

    2 stem leaves
    Rosette

    Also found the leaves oF the spider orchids from previous years , so will be coming back later in the season to check on them. Moving along the track we find some Banded greenhoods (Pterostylis vittata) and Dark banded greenhoods (Pterostylis sanguinea) growing on the verge. The lateral sepals are fleshier in the Dark banded greenhood, as the below pictures illustrate. 

    Distinctive green/white stripes
    Flowers have a nodding stance

    More of the same found so we decide to proceed to our next planned stop – Fleming Grove Road. Here we find lots of Hare orchids (Leporella fimbriata) in the final stages of flowering.

    Dual flowers are common
    Finding protection in the bushes
    Playing hide n seek

    Pushing through the scrub we stubble across more Banded greenhoods growing under bushes for protection from being eaten by  the kangaroos.

    Can have up to 25 flowers per plant
    Insect like labellum flicks up when triggered by pollinator.

    Then nearby  we are lucky enough to find a solitary donkey orchid barely in flower. Based on location this must be a Green Range donkey orchid (Diuris littoralis) which flowers July to early September over a near coastal range from  Denmark to Esperance. Then another more open flower is found closer to the greenhoods.

    so far only 1 petal has appeared
    Dorsal sepal yet to open up fully

    Moving on again this time to Truslove Townsite Nature Reserve which unfortunately turns up orchidless. However Truslove North Nature Reserve turns up some Dark banded greenhoods.

    White bands clearly visible on this specimen
    Very dark brown colouring

    Next stop is Red Lake Townsite Nature Reserve where we take a break for lunch. Deb finishes her lunch first and heads off up the track by foot on her search. I have a quick look around , finding more Dark banded greenhoods, and then jump in the Triton to move up to Deb as she has found something new. Dwarf shell orchids (Pterostylis brevichila) are her find, which flower July to September in a range from Hyden to Mt Ragged. Great pickup Deb!!

    Fleshy lateral sepals
    Less pronounced hood than other shell orchids
    Stem leaves but no rosette
    Appears to be yawning
    Erect narrow ended lateral sepals

     Next up Deb finds a Midget greenhood (Pterostylis mutica) so close to flowering. These little guys are found July to October from Wongan Hills to the SA border.  Also within coo wee are some yet to fully open Frog greenhoods (Pterostylis sargentii) which flower July to October in an inland range from Northampton to Grass Patch. Better specimens are found down another track.

    This little guy stood 25mm high
    Lateral sepals yet to open downwards

    Then some more greenhoods are found, so last minute photos taken before moving on.

    White bands are clear in these flowers
    Slightly cupped lateral sepals

    Our final destination for today is Eldred Rd near Salmon Gums, where we check out the woodlands surrounding a clay pan lake. (see Feature Image). Only orchids found were more greenhoods, but some appear to be the newly named Mallee banded greenhood (Pterostylis arbuscula) which flowers June to September in an inland range from Northampton to Eyre. All orchids  were restricted to the bases of the larger trees.

    Mallee banded greenhoods
    Short stature and few flowered inflorescence.

    So today was a day that the Pterostylis orchids ruled. At least 7 species found.  

    ?? Snail

    Dwarf Shell

    Banded Greenhoods x 3

    Midget Greenhood

    Frog Greenhood

    The Diuris and Leporella are bonus orchids in a woodland of Pterostylis.