Acianthus pusillus
Small Mosquito-orchid
Slender erect perennial herb growing from small tubers.
Additional information
- SynonymAcianthus exsertus
- FamilyOrchidaceae
- StoreyLower storey
- Size5-20 cm high
- Plant groupingOrchids
- LeavesSingle thin heart-shaped leaf 15-30 mm x 12-25 mm, green above, reddish-purple below, entire, occasionally shallowly lobed, held flat above the ground surface.
- Flower colourGreen to pinkish with reddish veins
- Flowering timeMay to August
- Flowers1-18 flowers to 5 mm across; sepals to 10 mm long, ending in a small fine point, central sepal hooded, side pointing forward; petals to 3 mm, pointing back. Lip wedge-shaped ending in short point.
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsHumus-rich to well drained soils, in open forests and woodlands, occasional in closed forests.
- Garden useUse of orchids in gardens is not recommended, unless they already occur naturally, in which case they need to be protected. Removing orchids from the bush usually results in their death and further depletes remaining wild orchid populations.
- Commercially availableNever
- Conservation statusLocally common within its preferred growing conditions
- Aboriginal Use Food - tuber
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1 Cathy Powers ©; 2 Richard Hartland ©; 3 Peter Kinchington ©
Plant Communities