Orchid field guide

There are about 30,000 species of orchid worldwide making Orchidaceae the largest family of flowering plants. They are found in a diverse range of habitats.

Orchids have distinctive flowers, consisting of three sepals and three petals. The third petal is greatly modified into a specialised structure known as a labellum. Another distinctive feature is the column, a fusion of the sexual parts of the flower (stamens and style) into a fleshy structure. Most terrestrial orchids grow from a tuber which is replaced each year.

Some orchids are designated as rare and endangered plants. Others, although reasonably common, are very localised in their occurence. All orchids are protected species and should not be disturbed in their native habitat. For these reasons all orchids have been included as rare or sensitive plants.

15 species

Acianthus caudatus (Mayfly Orchid)

Arthrochilus prolixus (Wispy Elbow Orchid)

Caladenia quadrifaria (Large Pink Fingers)

Caleana major (Large Duck Orchid)

Calochilus campestris (Copper Beard Orchid)

Calochilus montanus (Copper Beard Orchid)

Calochilus platychilus (Purple Beard Orchid)

Cryptostylis hunteriana (Leafless Tongue Orchid)

Cryptostylis leptochila (Small Tongue Orchid)

Cryptostylis subulata (Cow Orchid)

Cow Orchid

Cow Orchid

Cow Orchid

Eriochilus petricola (Bunny Orchids)

Orthoceras strictum (Horned Orchid)

Pterostylis lineata (Blue Moutains Leafy Greenhood)

Pterostylis pedunculata (Maroonhood)

Thelymitra ixioides (Dotted Sun Orchid)