Corybas fimbriatus

Fringed Helmet-orchid

Tiny perennial herb forming large colonies. Grows from small tuber.

FamilyOrchidaceae
StoreyLower storey
Sizeto 20 mm high
Plant groupingOrchids
LeavesSingle round to heart-shaped, ground hugging leaf 13-26 mm x 15-30 mm with a small tip on the end, sometimes shallowly 3-lobed.
Flower colourPurplish red to crimson, dorsal sepal transparent with purple-red spots
Flowering timeMay to June
FlowersSingle terminal flower on short stalk, reclining on leaf. Central sepal hooded over lip, side sepals fused on to lip, petals tiny, thread-like. Lip to 30 mm long, circular, flared, margin deeply fringed.
Bird attractingNo
Butterfly attractingNo
Frog habitatNo
Growing conditionsMoist shaded forests and heathy woodlands, growing amongst leaf litter and under sedges and small shrubs. Dappled shade. Known from a collection from Healesville in 1922 and more recently in 1993.
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. Known from historical records from very few sites within the Shire.
Aboriginal Use Food - tuber