An Orchid Weekend - Saturday - part two

Further to yesterday's post, having left Mt Gibraltar (a.k.a."The Gib"), the abrupt mountain above Bowral we lunched at Lake Alexandra, Mittagong. Then we went walking, led by Christine, a Mittagong local and ANOS Illawarra member. She knows this area well.

We walked along a series of trails at the base of Mt. Alexandra Reserve. We stayed low down, near the creek, and did not attempt to go high on the Mountain (in my case, for reasons of energy conservation) and because there was plenty for us to see at low levels of the Reserve.

Acianthus exsertus - a pale (greenish) form
A much paler form than the ones seen on The Gib

An interesting Beetle with a purplish tinge
Possibly related to this Brown Leaf-rolling Weevil

An orange capped gilled fungus.(name unknown to me)
Peter, from Germany, tells me
" this is a fungus of the genus Russula.
The species identification is not easy.
The most important feature is the color of spore dust."

 

Orange capped fungus (above)
turned over to show gills

Chiloglottis seminuda - typical two leaves of this genus.
This species has the glands (pseudo-insect)
on the upper half of the labellum only.

Pterostylis hispidula

Pterostylis acuminata

A cluster of Fungi

The same Fungi turned over to reveal the brownish gills

A Bullant which fancied "taking me on".
I backed off.

A largish silvery Fungus with brownish gills
I would normally regard this as a likely "edible mushroom"
except that the habitat is not where one would expect it.
As usual, if in doubt, do not eat it.
We made no attempt to collect this specimen.

A Dusky Moorhen in Lake Alexandra

Eurasian Coot standing near the edge of Lake Alexandra.

Sequel to the Big Day out at Tallong

This will be relatively short.

Alan Stephenson has sent me some images he took yesterday.

Some I could not take (one of my knee being used as a measuring stick for a tall Corunastylis apostasioides) and others taken at Meryla Pass (Griffin's Fire Trail) where I had made a lazy decision that I was too tired to cart my heavy Macro lens down the first section of the steep downhill Fire Trail.

Alan has kindly sent me some images to fill the gap in my record.

Firstly two excellent images Alan took of Corunastylis plumosa.

Corunastylis plumosa - Tallong Midge Orchid, at Tallong
Photo Courtesy of Alan Stephenson

Corunastylis plumosa - Tallong Midge Orchid, at Tallong
Photo Courtesy of Alan Stephenson

My knee being used to measure the height of a very tall

Corunastylis apostasioides.
PlantNET says it goes to 30 cm tall

Alan measured this as 50 cm tall.

And it was growing in 30 mm of moss

on a normally dry hillside.
No soil. Very "poor" sandstone scrub.
If you have ever seen Kunzea parvifolia growing

near Braidwood, Marulan or here at Tallong, you will know what I mean.

Corunastylis apostasioides against my knee as height measure.
Photo: Alan Stephenson

Then we went back home via Meryla Pass Road.

(off the Moss Vale to Fitzroy Falls Road)

Griffins Fire Trail (top end)
One of two species of Chiloglottis which were

growing in moist moss on a  vertical wall,

part of the old track cut in the rock to make

the original Meryla Pass track.

Chiloglottis seminuda
(long "clubs" below labellum)
Not reflexed backwards
Lower half of labellum clear
Photo: Alan Stephenson

 The second species of Chiloglottis found on Griffins Fire Trail
Ch. reflexa.

Chiloglottis reflexa (Photo: A. Stephenson)

Alan got excited about these next couple of shots.

Cymbidium suave is seldom recorded

growing on Old Man Banksia trees.

But here were three plants on the one Banksia serrata

Old Man Banksia.

Photos:Alan Stephenson.

Cymbidium suave on Banksia serrata

Cymbidium suave on Banksia serrata

These minute fungi gave us some excitement too.

Alan spotted them,

because he thought the moss sheet looked promising 

- for Orchids, of course.

Instead he found these strange Fungi

The moss and lichens and "fungi" were all growing together.

*****

I have told you it was the end of a very long day (at Tallong)

so I was trying to rest on a convenient log. 

But I soon got called over to inspect these Fungi.

I have concluded that they are probably Multiclavula

At the time I guessed Clavaria (which is fairly close).

Just possibly these are

Multiclavula icthyiformis 

"the fruiting body has a short stem 

and then broadens to a thin, somewhat fishtail-like apex"

Source ANBG Basidiolichens website.

This ID awaits confirmation from the Experts.

Possible Multiclavula icthyiformis

Possible Multiclavula icthyiformis

Possible Multiclavula icthyiformis

I will say this for Alan.
For an Orchid Expert, 
he is very open-minded when it comes 

to investigating other aspects of Nature

be they Turquoise Parrots, 
or these Fungi, or interesting Insects.

Magnificent Turpentine Tree

Alan and I went into the Barrengarry Nature Reserve last week, looking for Chiloglottis plants.
But I could not resist posing beside the trunk of this magnificent old Turpentine Tree (Syncarpia glomulifera)

How old is this mighty tree?
(Photo: Alan Stephenson)

   I jokingly said I needed to hold my tummy in, but as you can see, that did not work.

Me posing with this huge Turpentine Tree trunk.
(Photo: Alan Stephenson)

Here are some photos of the small ground Orchids from the forest floor.

Chiloglottis reflexa, the so-called "Short-clubbed Wasp Orchid"

These Orchids get their name from their relationship with Wasps

which assist in pollination

through a complex process of scent production to dupe the wasps

into believing the flower is actually a female wasp.

Chiloglottis reflexa - side view

 You can see this nicely formed "pseudo-insect"

or gland, or "osmophore"

on the labellum.

Chiloglottis reflexa

osmophore: a scent-producing gland.

A walk (climb) down to Fairy Bower

Regular readers will recall that I had a Hip Replacement Operation on 1 December 2011 (I am indebted to Greg for pointing out that I originally wrote 2012) Silly me - the Hip was not installed by Dr Who!

Yesterday I celebrated by walking 1.2 Km (horizontal distance) and 180 metres vertically (altitude) to go 600 metres from the Fairy Bower car park to the top of the Falls, and a further 600 metres, to negotiate the seriously steep access track to the bottom of the Fairy Bower falls. This is part of the Morton National Park, accessed via Bundanoon, NSW. 

Of course, I had to do this both down and up (the distances and height of the climb therefore has to be doubled). My hip came through fine (remarkably well, in fact) but my thigh muscles are sore from the unfamiliar exertion. But rest and good a soak in an Epsom Salts bath will help ease that.

There were two well placed chairs on the way up. I was not too proud to take a "Nanna rest". I needed it, and was glad that NPWS had bothered to position these seats in strategic rest points.

If you have "Google Earth", try opening this "Placemark" link to Fairy Bower Falls, Morton National Park, Bundanoon, NSW.

My trusty walking stick proved invaluable, especially on the old, steep and slippery old cut rock steps.

I am often amazed at the human effort which is evident in these tracks and steps being sometimes cut into the rock faces, and in other cases, cut rocks being positioned as steps sitting in place, often dug into sandy soil, or deep leaf litter, on 45 degree slopes. No photos of these were taken, as I was too tired and too busy hanging on, as I stepped carefully down or climbed back up.

The more modern style of pressed metal platforms, are wonderful, but presumably they are massively expensive, as sometimes they must be lifted into place by helicopters. All credit to the engineers of the NPWS and to the pilots, for that work.

While there is a track which take you to the bottom, there is no way I was going that far.

Bottom of the falls will do thanks.

View across the Bundanoon Creek valley (and a glimpse of the ravine at the bottom)

Looking up to Fairy Bower Falls - top section.

Fairy Bower Falls - lower section

On the way back up to the top I decided to take a few images (to give me a reason to rest), and to enjoy the beauty of the Fairy Bower walk.

One of the metal walkways below a sheer rock wall.

 From one of the steel walkways I was able to get this view up a wall of rock, covered with these amazing orange crustose lichens. I have seen them before, but never as fine a display as this. The site was a sheltered angle of the rock face, seldom in full sunlight. And obviously, it is in a moist gully, with high rainfall.

Wonderful red crustose lichens on sheltered side of sandstone rocks

Female Lyrebird seen track near the Fairy Bower car park

Cropped view of female Lyrebird.

A wonderful rock beside the Fairy Bower track back to the carpark

My friend and fellow Orchid enthusiast Alan Stephenson was with myself and some others on the trek to the bottom of the Fairy Bower Falls. Alan has shared with me several photos which I meant to take - but was too nervous (on the way down), and too tired on the way back up.

Above the Fairy Bower Falls, the track takes you over the tiny creek. Obviously there is a local tradition of making tiny little "water wheels" using sticks and stiff leaves. These have been positioned into little groves cut in the rock, in a "water race" which has apparently also been cut into the rock, to provide a steadily flowing stream of water, even at times of low flow in the creek. It works just fine.

I was really captured by the thought that this is a local tradition to manufacture these little "engines" (as "toys"). They are doing no "work", other than spinning round, to amuse us. But what a simple demonstration of how a water wheel can work.

Three natural "water wheels" made with sticks and leaves.

You can see the grooves where more of these "toys" have been placed before.

Alan, being Alan, also sent me a few images of Chiloglottis seminuda which he found on part of the walk which I bailed out from doing. A nice specimen too, although I am surprised that it was growing in such a wet forest.

Chiloglottis seminuda - photo courtesy of Alan Stephenson

I am hardly going to claim to be a "bushwalker", but I have been bragging about this walk all day. No only was the "achievement" very satisfying, the location was great, and a wonderful bit of wet forest under the falls, and nice sandstone forest above.

Green forms of Myrmechila formicifera on Macquarie Pass

Today I was showing Colin and Mischa (of Retired Aussies.com) some of our local Orchids.

We were having fun, watching out for not squashing some tiny Myrmechila formicifera (AKA Chiloglottis formicifera) plants, which so small, and dark-coloured that they are virtually impossible to see when one is standing up. 

Myrmechila formicifera - normal coloured plant.

Colin was busy repelling the persistent Leeches. 

Colin's pet Leech

Then suddenly he said "Oh look, there's a Green one" (referring to an Orchid).

Sure enough, there were in fact at least 5 green plants.

Here are some images of these beautiful little oddities.

Here is one "front on".

Such a lovely surprise.

A green form of Myrmechila formicifera

In "form" (shape and positioning of the glands) these plants are clearly properly formed as Myrmechila formicifera. They are simply an "alba form" (i.e., lacking normal pigmentation).

Click to enlarge the image, to see the detailed view of the glands.

They have the same "bubbles" of glands on the lower end of the labellum.

That's what defines it as M. formicifera.

I will write more in a few days 

about some others of these plants, 

which seem to be of the related Myrmechila trapeziformis.

There will be more discussion of those plants, 

when we have all had a chance to review Colin and Mischa's photos as well. 

Here is one of mine - 

to show the difference in the labellum glands.

Clean end of the Labellum. 

The "insectiform glands" are concentrated at the head of the labellum 

(close to the main part of the flower). 

Contrast that image with the first image.

Myrmechila trapeziformis at Macquarie Pass

From the PlantNET botanical illustration,  

for Chiloglottis trapeziformis

(AKA Myrmechila trapeziformis)

there seems to be little doubt that we have found

Myrmechila trapeziformis

Botanical illustration from PlantNET for "Chiloglottis trapeziformis"

While drafting this I got an email back from Alan Stephenson

confirming his advice that it is indeed Myrmechila trapeziformis.

 Ah, is it any wonder we love getting out and around in the bush?

As Colin mentioned today, it is remarkable how much more 

a few people can find when working together, 

than a single person will ever find.

Is this the most fun one can have standing up?

Hang on, I spend most of my time down on the ground,

or on my knees,

(taking photos) !!!

Illawarra Bird Orchids start to flower on Budderoo Fire Trail

I have posted about the Bird Orchids of Budderoo Plateau in previous years.

I cannot help it.

They are so extraordinary, and so localised that I always feel a glow of satisfaction when I find them.

This year, they have started to flower today, 17 August. I have found them flowering as early as 19 July in 2008, and yet they have been known to flower as late as 23 September.

This plant is known also by the name Illawarra Bird Orchid -  a reference to the "open-mouthed" posture of a baby bird, begging for food.

I have been watching these plants for about 5 weeks, firstly as leaves, then as leaves with small buds, then leaves with large upright buds, and today flowers just opening, despite the light rain which was falling. Situation normal on the Budderoo Plateau. These plants grow in shallow soil over a sandstone rock shelf. They flower in late winter, and early spring, when the shallow soil is frequently wet. This heathland on shallow soil is a harsh environment, subject to extreme drying out over summer. These plants become totally dormant at that stage - they lose their leaves and hide under the soil. A good survival strategy.

I am referring to this plant by the name Simpliglottis chlorantha, but PlantNET obstinately refuses to recognise that name. So, when I refer to the illustration from their site, I use the name which they use, Chiloglottis chlorantha.

Note the extraordinary large calli 

or osmophores (scent-producing glands)

on the broad labellum (on left of image).

Illustration from PlantNET - "Chiloglottis chlorantha"

Simpliglottis chlorantha in situ under heath plants

These plants grow in and under the low heath plants 

and "Eggs and Bacon" Pea flowers

which thrive on the shallow moist, peaty soil over the rock shelves of the area.

The dominant heath plant (in flower at the moment) 
on Budderoo Plateau
The genus name "Leucopogon" refers to "white bearded".
This plant is in the family Ericaceae, known as "heath plants"
Click to enlarge the image, to see the bearded flowers.

Leucopogon microphyllus var microphyllus

 One of the upright Eggs and Bacon Pea flowers 

which thrive on the shallow sandstone soil.

Possibly Dillwynia sp. "Barren Grounds"

Dillwynia sp. possibly the Barren Grounds species (from nearby)

 The flower here is seen from the side. 

The "lateral sepals" protrude out in front of the flower,

then curve downwards at their tips.

Illawarra Bird Orchid - Simpliglottis chlorantha - earns its green name (chlorantha)

This is a fresh flower, and so the labellum is held quite close 

to the column.

The large pollen grains (pollinia) are just visible

held above the labellum.

Note the green and red glands (calli) on the labellum

These Orchids have two fresh green leaves flat on the ground.

The leaves are often partially covered by leaf litter.

Illawarra Bird Orchid has a red throat under the labellum.