Christmas Bells

Christmas Bells
Christmas Bells - Blandfordia nobilis

Thursday, October 04, 2012

Diuris maculata starting up, at Medway.


Over at Medway village in a field of Eggs and Bacon flowers, there were many flowers of Diuris maculata.

Diuris maculata.
Side view of the flower
Lateral sepals (the "legs") are tucked under the labellum
Diuris maculata

Diuris maculata
Diuris maculata
The rear of the Petals ("ears") are strongly dotted with brown
on Diuris maculata


The books all talk about the fact that these orchids do not provide any "benefit" to potential pollinators (e.g., no pollen, no nectar) to benefit any insects which might be attracted to the flowers. However, they all talk about the fact that Diuris seem to flower simultaneously with the "eggs and bacon Pea Flowers". In that regard (timing) the Orchid people are correct. So, for the pollinators of the Eggs and Bacon flowers (whatever they may be) there was an abundance of choices.

(For Martin Butterfield's satisfaction I will point out that he refers to these plants as Beans, not Pea flowers. And he is correct - but I am not sure for how long that will be the case - given the intellectual flexibility of Taxonomists.)


Mirbelia platylobioides

Close-up of Mirbelia platylobioides

Close-up of Mirbelia platylobioides

I did not get a photo of the leaves of this Eggs and Bacon plant
So I dare not try to name it.
The side view of the same flower as above.
Daviesia acicularis
The needle-like leaves are in fact strongly 'revolute"
(i.e., folded very tightly)
You can see that in the leaf in the centre of this image.
Daviesia acicularis



No comments: