715B-2-Corybas-incurvus-Colin-Rowan.jpg

Corybas incurvus

Slaty or Toothed Helmet-orchid

Tiny perennial herb, either as solitary plants or forming mats, growing from small tuber.

Additional information

  • SynonymCorybas diemenicus, Corysanthes incurva.
  • FamilyOrchidaceae
  • StoreyLower storey
  • Sizeto 20 mm high
  • Plant groupingOrchids
  • LeavesSingle broadly egg-shaped to heart-shaped leaf to 10-25 mm x 10-32 mm diam., green, paler below, ground hugging.
  • Flower colourDark purple, central sepal grey-green with dark purple marks
  • Flowering timeJuly to August
  • FlowersSingle terminal flower on short stalk; central sepal hooded over most of lip, side sepals and petals fused forward. Lip to 20 mm, margins toothed, incurved, white central blotch channelled.
  • Bird attractingNo
  • Butterfly attractingNo
  • Frog habitatNo
  • Growing conditionsMoist shaded forests and scrubby heathlands. 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 statusSignificant within the Shire. Known from very few sites but locally abundant.
  • Aboriginal Use Food - tuber
Photographer/s: 1 Cathy Powers ©; 2 Colin Rowan, RetiredAussies ©

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