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Glossodia major

Wax-lip Orchid

Slender hairy perennial herb growing from small tubers.

Additional information

  • FamilyOrchidaceae
  • StoreyLower storey
  • Size10-30 cm high
  • Plant groupingOrchids
  • LeavesSingle hairy broadly lance-shaped leaf 3-10 cm x 20 mm.
  • Flower colourGlossy mauve to purple, lip white
  • Flowering timeSeptember to November
  • FlowersSingle, sometimes 2 flowers to 45 mm across. Petals and sepals similar, broad, spreading in a star. Column broadly winged; heart-shaped lip, pair of notched yellow warty calli at base.
  • Bird attractingNo
  • Butterfly attractingNo
  • Frog habitatNo
  • Growing conditionsDrier well drained soil in open forest and woodland. Full sun, semi shade. Often more abundant after fires.
  • 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

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1 Glossodia major

(JPG, 3MB)
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2 Glossodia major

(JPG, 791KB)
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3 Glossodia major

(JPG, 274KB)
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4 Glossodia major

(JPG, 221KB)
Photographer/s: 1 Marty White/SYR ©; 2 Peter Kinchington ©; 3, 4 Marilyn Bull ©

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