Sarcochilus australis
Butterfly Orchid, Gunn's Orchid
Semi-pendulous epiphytic orchid.
Additional information
- FamilyOrchidaceae
- StoreyMiddle storey
- Size5-15 cm across, stems to 5 cm long
- Plant groupingOrchids
- Leaves3-10 thin leathery oblong, sometimes curved, dark green leaves 2-11 cm x 4-17 mm.
- Flower colourPale yellowish-green to brown, lip white with yellow suffusions & purple stripes
- Flowering timeOctober to December
- Flowers1-4 pendulous sprays of 2-17 fragrant flowers. Sepals and petals narrowly spoon-shaped, spreading; lip short, 3-lobed, projecting forward, side lobes broad, erect, curved inwards.
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsEpiphytic on mossy branches and trunks in fern gullies of cool rainforest and tall closed forest. Semi shade to dappled shade. Very rare within the Shire.
- Garden useIf encountered in the bush it should never be removed. May be available occasionally for purchase. Grow in fernery in cool dark position on bark of trees.
- Commercially availableRarely
- Conservation statusSignificant within the Shire. Known from very few local sites.
- Aboriginal Use Food - tuber
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1, 2, 4, 5 Ken Harris ©; 3 C&M Rowan, RetiredAussies ©
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