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TRANSCRIPT
Journal
of the
Native Orchid Society of
South Australia Inc
Print Post Approved .Volume 37 Nº 4
PP 543662/00018 May 2013
NATIVE ORCHID SOCIETY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
PO BOX 565 UNLEY SA 5061 www.nossa.org.au.
The Native Orchid Society of South Australia promotes the conservation of orchids through
the preservation of natural habitat and through cultivation. Except with the documented
official representation of the management committee, no person may represent the Society on
any matter. All native orchids are protected in the wild; their collection without written
Government permit is illegal.
PRESIDENT SECRETARY Geoffrey Borg: John Bartram
Email. [email protected] Email: [email protected]
VICE PRESIDENT
Kris Kopicki
COMMITTEE Jan Adams
Bob Bates Robert Lawrence
EDITOR TREASURER David Hirst Gordon Ninnes
14 Beaverdale Avenue Telephone
Windsor Gardens SA 5087 mob.
Telephone 8261 7998 Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
LIFE MEMBERS
Mr R. Hargreaves† Mr. L. Nesbitt
Mr H. Goldsack† Mr G. Carne
Mr R. Robjohns† Mr R Bates
Mr J. Simmons† Mr R Shooter
Mr D. Wells† Mr W Dear Mrs C Houston
Conservation Officer: Thelma Bridle / Bob Bates
Field Trips Coordinator: Wendy Hudson. Ph: 8251 2762, Email: [email protected]
Trading Table: Judy Penney Show Marshall: vacant Registrar of Judges: Les Nesbitt
Tuber bank Coordinator: Jane Higgs ph. 8558 6247; email: [email protected]
New Members Coordinator: Vacant
PATRON Mr L. Nesbitt
The Native Orchid Society of South Australia, while taking all due care, take no responsibility for loss or damage
to any plants whether at shows, meetings or exhibits.
Views or opinions expressed by authors of articles within this Journal do not necessarily reflect the views or
opinions of the management committee. We condone the reprint of any articles if acknowledgment is given
Journal Cost $2. per issue. Family or Single Membership with subscription $20.00*
*Postal Mail full year $20.00. Email full year $15.00. Pro-rata rates for third quarter $10.00 and last quarter $5.00
Students $10.00 per year. Juniors $5.00
Front cover from an original drawing of Prasophyllum elatum by Robert Lawrence. Used with his kind permission.
JOURNAL OF THE
NATIVE ORCHID SOCIETY
OF
SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC.
MAY 2013 VOL. 37 NO 4
CONTENTS THIS JOURNAL
Title Author Page
Diary Dates 34
April Meeting 35
For Your Information – NOSSA News 35
2012 President’s Report Geoff Borg 36
Culture Notes - June- Les Nesbitt 37
Diuris behrii Project 13-1 Les Nesbitt 38
NOSSA Field Trip, Saturday, April 13, 2013 (Belair Rec Pk) Leo Davis 38 Thelymitra corrugata R Bates. A recently named species from the Mt Lofty
Ranges in South Australia Bob Bates 39
Conservation news for March 2013 Bob Bates 41
Winners April 2013 Picture Competition Rosalie Lawrence 42
New publication by Jeff Jeanes 43
The Native Orchid Society of South Australia meets every
4th
Tuesday of the months February –November
NEXT MEETING 28 MAY 2013 .
NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday June 4th
– At the home. Robert Lawrence 24 Patricia St, Camden Park
At 7.00 pm (Note earlier start time)
DIARY DATES
Saturday 8th
June. Weeding among Pterostylis cucullata in Belair Natl Park. Saturday 22 June Hale CP Diplodium, Acianthus, and Urochilus
Wednesday 3 July Morialta CP various orchids
NEXT MEETING
Tuesday, 28 May at St Matthew's Hall, Bridge Street, Kensington. Meeting starts at
8:00 p.m. Doors to the hall will be open from 7:15 p.m. to allow Members access to
the Library and trading table.
The speaker at the May meeting is James McGregor, NOSSA member & Vegetation Consultant for Greening Australia on Orchids in Belair: Why Mapping Plants and Understanding their Distribution is Important for Conservation
Judging results for April Meeting Epiphytes benched
Species: Dendrobium bigibbum; Liparis reflexa.
Hybrids: Dendrobium Annes Rainbow Surprise; Dendrobium Colonial Campio; Dendrobium Grace
Robson; Dendrobium Hilda Poxon “Mem Nell George”; Dendrobium Jonathon’s Glory; Dockrillia
bowmanii.
Terrestrial Species: Eriochilus cucullatus; Eriochilus dilitatus
Judging results Grower Epiphyte species
1st Dendrobium bigibbum Steve Howard
2nd
Dendrobium bigibbum Bodo Jensen
3rd
Liparis reflexa Steve Howard
Epiphyte hybrids
1st Dendrobium Annes Rainbow Surprise J & B Gay
2nd
Dendrobium Grace Robson Bodo Jensen
3rd
Dendrobium Hilda Poxon “Mem Nell George” J & B Gay
Epiphyte hybrid Second Division
1st Dendrobium Jonathon’s Glory Eric Nesbitt
Popular vote
Epiphyte species Dendrobium bigibbum Steve Howard
Epiphyte hybrids Dendrobium Annes Rainbow Surprise J & B Gay
Epiphyte hybrids 2nd
Div Dendrobium Jonathon’s Glory Eric Nesbitt
Plant of the night: Dendrobium bigibbum Steve Howard
Plant commentary on terrestrials given by Les Nesbitt & on epiphytes by Noel Oliver.
Upcoming Field Trips Field Trip Co-ordinator, Wendy Hudson can be contacted on 8251 2762 or 0434 863 969.
Date Site Orchids Meeting Place
Saturday
22 June
Hale CP Diplodium spp.
Acianthus
Urochilus
Meet at Victoria Creek Reserve, cnr.
South Para Road & Mt Crawford Road.
* Please note this may be cancelled if the
drought continues into May.
All field trips commence at 10:00 AM
Leaders required: If you are able and would like to lead any of the above field-trips, please email
[email protected] or telephone 8251 2762. Thank you.
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Wednesday 3 July Morialta CP Bunochilus, Diplodium,
Urochilus, Cyrtostylis,
Corysanthes
Sunday 18 August Belair NP Pterostylis nutans
Saturday 31 August or
Sunday 1 September
Private property, Victor
Harbor
Friday 6 & Saturday 7
September
Camp: Halbury Oligochaetochilus lepidus
Saturday 14 September Mambray Creek Oligochaetochilus
Arachnorchis
Prasophyllum
Sunday 20 October Scott CP - Kuitpo Sun orchids
Sunday 16 November Kuitpo Duck orchids
FOR YOUR INFORMATION - NOSSA NEWS
THREATENED PLANT ACTION GROUP (TPAG) WEEDING DATES
NOSSA members are invited to assist TPAG members with weeding. It is advisable to
check with Tim Jury just prior to the date, or ask him to send you an email, in case weather
or other factors change the event. SEE the April Journal for the details.
Tim Jury – ph 7127 4166 or [email protected]
Thelma Bridle – ph 8384 4174 or [email protected]
Orchid Conservation Activities
Saturday 8th
June. Weeding with TPAG members for Pterostylis cucullata in Belair Natl
Park.
Meet: 9.30am. Please contact Tim Jury 7127 4166 for the exact meeting place.
I think it will be the tank site, but unfortunately I won’t be able to make the weeding.
Threatened Orchid Conservation Weekends
These trips are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. NOSSA members are welcome to attend
one or both days. Overnight accommodation will be provided. The number of NOSSA
members attending either or both of these trips will need to be restricted as both species are
threatened and both easily trampled. Please contact Thelma Bridle, Conservation Officer at
[email protected] or 8384 4174 if you are interested in attending. Further details will
be provided to attendees.
Mount Bryan area July 27th
and 28th
Counting populations of Oligochaetochilus
despectans rosettes on private properties in the Mt Bryan and Koolunga areas in the mid
north. Overnight accommodation in Mount Bryan East school.
Halbury Sept 7th
and 8th Counting and weeding Oligochaetochilus lepidus in Halbury.
Overnight accommodation at Emmaeus Camp, Halbury.
2012 President’s Report Geoff Borg, NOSSA President NOSSA had a solid 2012 with highlights including a spectacular Spring Show, continued
demand for the South Australia’s Native Orchids DVD, and the popular field trip program.
The monthly general meetings and the NOSSA Journal continue to be cornerstones of the
NOSSA. All of these events and products reflect the tireless efforts and enthusiasm of
volunteers who have a passion for sharing their experience and knowledge of Australian
native orchids.
While these are events most members experience either in person or via the Journal there is
also a significant amount of ongoing conservation work. In 2012 DENR and Forestry SA
surveys continued adding South Australia’s knowledge of native orchid species and their
distribution. 2012 also saw NOSSA’s continued support of habitat maintenance and
restoration in collaboration with other South Australian conservation and land management
organizations. Much of this involves the members getting their hands dirty removing weeds
in National and Conservation Parks and various public reserves and private properties across
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2013 MEMBERSHIP NOTICE Members who wish to pay 2013 Membership Fees electronically should e-mail NOSSA Treasurer on
You will receive banking details so that you can complete your subscription. Please remember to include in your e-
mail any change of address details. , Treasurer
NEXT JUDGES MEETING
Next judges meeting will be at Les Nesbitt's place at Vale Park, Saturday 1st June at 9.30am.
the orchid habitats of South Australia. This work continues in 2013 so keep an eye on the
Journal for information on opportunities to get involved.
The 2012 Spring Show was nothing short of spectacular with amazing displays and strong
competition in the judging. This was supported by the conservation and photo displays and
the ever popular plant sale.
As President, I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to all the volunteers who made
NOSSA’s meetings, Journal, Spring Show, Conservation, Field Trip, and other products and
activities the successes they were in 2012. I also extend my thanks and appreciation to the
Management Committee to their work in 2012. In particular I would like to recognise the
service of Bill Dear, Marj Sheppard, Cathy Houston, and Pamela Monk…and the rest of the
Management Committee. I name these four individuals as they ended their careers on the
Management Committee in 2012-13 (for now at least). They will be missed but I know the
2013 Committee is getting off to a great start.
One final note: at the start of 2013 the Committee put a out a survey to the NOSSA
membership to get feedback on what we are doing well, what we can do better for members,
and to get your ideas and suggestions on what you would like to get out of your
membership. We are working through the responses and in the process of reporting out the
results. I encourage all who have ideas, praise, or see opportunities for improvement for
NOSSA to continue to provide feedback. NOSSA is yours, dear members, and we all
benefit from sharing our ideas and experiences.
Everyone stay safe and enjoy the great South Australian outdoors and the orchids therein
(when the rain starts…).
Culture Notes – June Les Nesbitt
Terrestrials
June is cold, often with frosty mornings and sunny days. Terrestrials can take -2’C but any
colder results in permanent damage. If you live in the country you may need a solid roof for
frost protection. Frosts are rare these days in Adelaide. I have black rubbish bins full of
water under the benching in my glasshouse to moderate the temperature. They absorb heat
in the daytime and radiate it out at night.
The last of the terrestrial orchid leaves should appear this month although there are always a
few stragglers especially if pots were not knocked out last summer. Tubers that formed in
the bottom of a pot have a long way to grow to reach the surface. Sometimes they come out
the drainage holes. If no plants appear do not throw the pot away. Sometimes orchids take
a year off and send up a leaf the second year. Most weeds have germinated by now so
weeding gets easier.
It is hard to drag yourself away from the heater this month but at least once a week go out on
a wet night with a torch and examine your orchids for slugs, snails and beetles. They always
feed on your best orchid buds.
Epiphytes
Not a lot to do this month except look for developing flower buds. Plants are growing
slowly so fertilising is a waste of time and money. All the buds you are going to get on
Dendrobium speciosum will be showing at the end of May. Plants that you want to exhibit
in flower in spring can be moved under cover to guard against hail damage and waterlogging
in winter. Remove dead leaves from pots and clean up under the benches to minimise
fungal and bacterial diseases. Winter shadows from trees and buildings can reach into your
growing area. Some plants may have to be moved or hung higher to get more winter sun.
Ventilation is important too so that leaves can dry off after rain.
37
Diuris behrii Project 13-1 Les Nesbitt
The growing season started after 50mm of rain fell in the hills in late April. On May 1st
there were leaves visible in 12 main clone pots and 19 daughter tuber pots. No leaves were
showing in the 125mm pots containing small tubers for growing on. Leaves of the largest
tubers are the first to appear. The rain also caused lots of weeds to germinate. The orchid
pots are weeded regularly. However all the emergent plants in the empty bags and pots of
ferns & lilies have been allowed to grow undisturbed. Snail bait was spread around to
protect the orchids after a fat slug was found under the rubbish bin on the floor of the orchid
house.
NOSSA Field Trip, Saturday, April 13, 2013. Leo Davis
About 12 of us fronted up to an outing, at Belair Recreation Park, on Saturday afternoon.
Some had already spent the morning in the Park, weeding, in support of an endangered
Greenhood. A number of potential leaders had fixed commitments elsewhere and so, on the
shortest notice, with no chance to scout the territory, Rob Lawrence led us on an enjoyable
and instructive search. Unfortunately we found not a single flowering orchid.
John and Lorraine Badger generously gave us all copies of their records of orchid flower
sightings in the Park, over about 4 years.
Lorraine pointed out the bare ground where she and John had seen a number of flower
spikes of Oligochaetochilus bisetus, last season. GPS devices were busily applied. She
also showed us leaves of Pterostylis curta (Blunt or Curt Greenhood), rare in SA, near the
sign explaining work in support of the population of the endangered P. cucullata (Leafy
Greenhood), two Greenhoods that even Bob refers to as a Pterostylis.
Robert showed us how to dig tubers of Disa bracteata (South African Weed Orchid)
showing the new shoots and, in some cases, an old and a fresh tuber together. Ceremonial
whooping and squashing followed, of course.
Some of the target species are about and in
larger numbers than expected, given the
dry Autumn, just not where we were. Leo
had spent the morning at the top of
Morialta CP. with the Botany Group of
FNSSA, and found a couple of patches of
Eriochilus sp. Hills woodland (Parson’s
Bands) and at the first very open exposed
site there were a dozen or so Corunastylis
sp. Adelaide Hills (Common or Variable
Midge Orchid). Small numbers of both of
these were seen at Knott Hill NFR. on April 6. Many Parson’s Bands and a single
Midge Orchid were found at Mark
Oliphant CP., and a very busy patch of
Parson’s Bands was located off Neville
Road, at Scott Creek CP., both on April 20.
Leporella fimbriata (Fringed Hare Orchid)
is more elusive.
38
Thelymitra corrugata R Bates. A recently named species from the Mt
Lofty Ranges in South Australia Robert J Bates 38 Portmarnock St Fairview Park SA 5126
Email [email protected]
History: the existence of this orchid was first pointed out to me in the early 1970’s by
amateur orchidologist Ray Nash of Blackwood SA who had photographed flowers from a
council quarry (now rifle range) near Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills. No collections are
known from that time. The taxon was then largely ignored for forty years until the author
began collecting Thelymitra material for Jeff Jeanes’ (Melbourne Herbarium) revision of
that genus.
A population of several hundred plants was relocated near Hahndorf in 2007 and
subsequently smaller populations in similar relict grassy woodland habitat from as far north
as Gumeracha to as far south as Kuitpo prompting the need to formally name the taxon so
that measures could be made to conserve its rapidly disappearing habitat, now estimated at
less than 200 hectares.
Type: South Australia, Southern Lofty region Hahndorf Rifle Range bushland,
30km east of Adelaide, Oct 15th 2010, R. Bates 84816; holo: AD; iso: AD,
MEL
Terrestrial ,vernal orchid, slender to robust, rigid, 30-50 cm tall; leaf linear attenuated, thick
textured, deeply channelled to 25cm long, 20 mm diam, red and encircling the scape at
base, scape to 45 cm, sterile bracts usually two, c.20 mm long, clasping the scape for most
of their length; inflorescence to 50cm high, usually somewhat less, flowers 5-20, pedicillate,
bright, blue with darker streaks and blotches mostly on the petals, to 25mm diam, somewhat
cup shaped, floral bract to 22 mm long, pink, white edged, acuminate; perianth segments
shortly ovate, concave, 9-12 mm long; column to 6 mm tall, widely winged., white, shading
into pale blue, post anther lobe short and broad, dark brown to black often with a paler
horseshoe shaped apex, irregularly corrugate on the outer surface; pollinia slightly friable,
visible above and partly hidden behind the stigma and with a glistening viscid disk; trichome
tufts on short straight arms, toothbrush shaped ,white, penicillate, dense and held almost
horizontally to slightly angled upward.
Etymology: currugata Latin grooved or corrugated referring to the irregular grooves on
the surface of the post-anther-lobe.
Distribution and ecology: restricted to the Adelaide Hills in the Southern Mount Lofty
Ranges paralleling the Gulf St Vincent but probably more widespread before the destruction
of its grassy, montane woodland habitat since the time of European settlement. Found
mostly on stony rises with messmate E. obliqua and bluegum E. leucoxylon but plants from
valley bottoms with E. camaldulensis are more robust and these latter grassy woodlands
may have been its favoured habitat before farming. Other associated plants include native pine Callitris gracilis, sedges particularly
Lepidosperma laterale , wallaby and spear grasses, and scattered Xanthorrhoea spp with
lesser shrubs such as Hibbertia spp.
Sun orchids usually sympatric with T. corrugata include T. antennifera, T. rubra and
members of the T, pauciflora complex. There are no T. ixioides or T. juncifolia anywhere
near the Type location but the presence of a few T x irregularis indicate that they may have
been present in the past. In the Kuitpo area T. corrugata has been observed to cross with T.
rubra, the resultant slate coloured, purple spotted hybrids possessing the corrugations of T
corrugata. In some versions of Orchids of South Australia ie version 5 to 7 it is illustrated
39
as T. x Dark column and it was hypothsised that it may have originated as a hybrid (of
unknown parenatage) but now stabilised as a species in its own right.
Conservation status: endangered
Recognition: from T. juncifolia differs in larger
size, unstriated leaf base, black post anther lobe, very
different trichomes and the corrugated post anther
lobe itself. From the non stabilised hybrid T. x
truncata differs in the extra sterile bracts, more
outcrossing nature, less tubular post anther lobe, the
elongate blotching and again in the black corrugated
post anther lobe.
Other collections seen ie at AD:
South Australia, SL: Totness CP in messmate Oct
2009, R Bates 79777; track east of Chookarloo
campground in blue-gum grassy woodland Oct. 2011,
R Bates 85 795 with the hybrid between it and T.
rubra.
Acknowledgements: I thank members of the
Native Orchid Society of South Australia particularly
Margaret Petridis who provided the line drawings,
Catherine and Malcolm Houston and June Niejalke for the photographs.
References: Jeanes,J.A. 2004 A Revision of the Thelymitra pauciflora complex in Australia, Muelleria
19: 19-79
Briggs, J.D. and Leigh (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants, revised edition,
CSIRO and ANCA.
Bates 2012. Orchids of South Australia version 6 electronic chapter on undescribed sun
orchids as Thelymitra hybrid Dark Column
Fig.1 front view of T. corrugata flower, drawing by Margaret Petridis
Figs 2&3 T corrugata column; side and front views by M. Petridis
40
Cathy Houston, T. corrugata. side
T. corrugata by JN view of column
Conservation news for March 2013 R Bates
The good news is that the endangered orchid Prasophyllum
laxum restricted to southern Eyre Peninsula has had a
formal application for federal recognition as an endangered
species: The application was written by Tim Jury (NCS)
helped by NOSSA conservation officers of course. The
species is threatened by grazing and graphite mining.
The bad news is another example of orchid habitat clearance
by stealth.
Widening of the Princes Highway from Tailem bend to
Bordertown has seen loss of an estimated hundred hectares
and grassy bluegum woodland and limestone mallee. In
addition to clearance of known orchid habitat during the
road-works, piles of gravel, increased roadside parking
areas, increased coverage of weed grasses and shifted fence
lines. Ethically the highways department is obliged to buy a
strip of adjacent grazing land to lessen the effects on native
flora and fauna, but I can’t see this happening. Many SA
orchids on this strip of roadside veg have already become
extinct in SA including the undescribed Tintinara leek
orchid and Ki Ki rufous hood. Prior to road widening the
road rail veg corridor was already bordering on being too
narrow to support viable orchid populations and certainly is
now.
On top of all this the last six month period has been one of
the driest on record. Prasophyllum laxum, nationally endangered
Winners April 2013 Picture Competition
Rosalie Lawrence
Again, this month there were nine entries with the winner being Lorraine Badger’s Thelymitra
albiflora or Small White Sun Orchid.
Thumbnail pictures of the other entries.
42
Remember entries can be posted to the NOSSA mail box or emailed to
[email protected] or [email protected]
Endemic to South Australia, with a distribution ranging from the southern Eyre Peninsula
across to the Flinders Ranges and down through to the South East, this delicate self
pollinating sun orchid is most abundant in the Lofty Ranges.
From late September through to October, it can be found in growing in the well drained
(ridges and gravelly road verges) acid soils forests, woodlands, scrubs and heaths
More information about our orchids can be found in South Australia’s Native Orchids DVD-
ROM, which can be purchased from NOSSA
Jeff Jeanes has published a paper on the Thelymitra nuda complex. To view the PDF, - Ctrl + click on the link below. long-awaited paper on the Thelymitra nuda complex.
43
Plants benched May 2013 1 photo's D. Hirst
Dendrobium schneiderae
Dendrobium Annes RainbowSurprise
Dockrilla bowmanii
Dendrobium Colonial Campio
Dendrobium Hilda Poxon
Dendrobium Jonathons Glory'Dark Joy'
Dendrobium Grace Robson
Plants benched May 2013 2 photo's D. Hirst
Dendrobium lithocola
Dendrobium bigibbum
Plants benched May 2013 3 photo's D. Hirst
Liparis reflexa
Eriochilus dilatatus Eriochilus cucullatus