Leporella fimbriata

Fringed Hare-orchid

Slender erect perennial herb with a green stem. Tubers round.

FamilyOrchidaceae
StoreyLower storey
Sizeto 25 cm high
Plant groupingOrchids
Leaves1-2 ground-hugging bluish-green egg-shaped leaves with 3-5 parallel reddish veins, to 30 mm x 15-20 mm.
Flower colourBrownish-green or reddish, lip green with purplish fringe.
Flowering timeMarch to August
Flowers1-3 flowers to 15 mm wide; central sepal broad, hooded; lateral sepals spoon-shaped with incurved margins, drooping, petals spoon-shaped, erect, tips darkly hairy. Fan-shaped lip is hinged with margins deeply fringed.
Bird attractingNo
Butterfly attractingNo
Frog habitatNo
Growing conditionsDeep well drained soil in moist forest. Full sun, semi 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 statusPresumed extinct within the Shire. Known from one early collection.
Aboriginal Use Food - tuber