Corybas diemenicus
Veined Helmet-orchid
Tiny perennial herb, either solitary plants or forming mats, growing from small tuber.
Additional information
- SynonymCorybas dilatatus, Corysanthes diemenicus
- FamilyOrchidaceae
- StoreyLower storey
- Sizeto 20 mm high
- Plant groupingOrchids
- LeavesSingle round to heart-shaped leaf to 25 mm diam., green, paler below, ground hugging.
- Flower colourReddish-purple
- Flowering timeJuly to September
- FlowersSingle terminal flower on short stalk; central sepal hooded over lip, side sepals and petals fused forward on to lip. Lip to 20 mm long, white central blotch, crimson lines along veins, coarsely fringed margin.
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsMoist shaded forests and mountain gullies. Dappled 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 statusLocally common within its preferred growing conditions
- Aboriginal Use Food - tuber
- Related speciesCorybas fimbriatus may have occurred within the Shire. It is similar to C. diemenicus. The flower is white, mottled red, with a dark purplish central spot on the lip. The lip margin is either incurved or spreading, fringed with long narrow teeth.
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1 Marilyn Bull ©; 2 M & C Rowan RetiredAussies ©
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