Corybas aconitiflorus
Spurred Helmet-orchid
Tiny solitary perennial herbs forming large colonies, growing from a small tuber.
Additional information
- FamilyOrchidaceae
- StoreyLower storey
- Sizeto 20 mm high
- Plant groupingOrchids
- LeavesSingle round to heart-shaped green leaf 10-35 mm x 9-30 mm, purplish below, ground hugging.
- Flower colourReddish-purple
- Flowering timeMay to July
- FlowersSingle terminal flower on short thick stalk; central sepal elliptic, curved over and downwards in a semi-circle, hood covering lip, tip pointed. Lateral sepals and petals minute. Lip tiny, erect, tubular at base, 2 pointed spurs project down along stem.
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsMoist well drained light soil in sheltered forests and heathy woodlands. Partial to full shade.
- 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 statusRare in Victoria with few known populations. At high risk of extinction in one known site, secure at another location and known from historical records at others.
- Aboriginal Use Food - tuber
- Related speciesCorybas fimbriatus may have occurred within the Shire.
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1 Richard Hartlands ©; 2 Cathy Powers ©
Plant Communities