Orchids start earlier in Kangaroo Valley than Robbo

The orchids of Cambewarra Mountain and Kangaroo Valley are starting up. These plants flower about a month earlier than the same species, up on the Robertson Plateau. Some of these plants are nearly as high (in altitude) as Robertson. But Kangaroo Valley is in a "lens" and captures the sun and heats up. And Cambewarra Mountain is exposed to the milder coastal weather. So, either or both of those factors might explain what is going on here.

Sarcochilus falcatus - the Orange-blossom Orchid.
These are at Cambewarra Mountain.

Sarcochilus falcatus - the Orange-blossom Orchid.

Sarcochilus falcatus - the Orange-blossom Orchid.
Growing on the side of a Blackwood Wattle.

Dagger orchid clump clinging to the bark, and Rock Felt Ferns
Dockrillia pugioniformis

Dagger Orchid - as close as I can get to them.
Dockrillia pugioniformis

These Prasophyllum brevilabre were doing very well, in an area down in the lower end of the Kangaroo Valley where there had been a "burn-off" the previous season.

This accords with the reputation of many of these Leek Orchids as benefitting from  a burn-off. Given that I had just come from seeing a related plant (below) which was barely able to hold its flower stem together, I was impressed with how well these plants were doing. It tends to confirm the "do well after a fire" theory.

  

Prasophyllum brevilabreShort-lipped Leek orchid

Prasophyllum brevilabreShort-lipped Leek orchid

Prasophyllum brevilabreShort-lipped Leek orchid

These tall Leek Orchids were in very bad condition, reflecting the obvious dry season we are having here (south from Sydney). This plant stem had grown then snapped over. Others had shrivelled without opening any flowers. The only healthy plants I saw were several "smart" ones which had not attempted to flower. They were doing OK.

Prasophyllum elatum
Tall Leek Orchid

One thing to note, the Epiphytic Orchids of Upper Kangaroo Valley are not yet in flower. That includes the same species as here - Sarcochilus falcatus, and also the Dockrillia linguiformis

Pterostylis erecta located on Red Rock Nature Reserve

I have probably seen this species Pterostylis erecta before (I know Alan Stephenson has told me it occurs in certain localities I have visited previously) but this is the first time I have found it by myself and worked out that it is a different species from the commonly seen, and closely related, "Maroonhood"(Pterostylis pedunculata).

Unlike Pt. pedunculata this flower lacks a "fat bottom".
And its tip of the galea is gently pointing upwards
(hence the name "erecta").

Pterostylis erecta

Unlike the "Maroonhood" (Pt pedunculata)
this plant is dark brownish green
instead of really dark almost black on the front.

Pterostylis erecta

Pterostylis erecta

The lateral sepals (the little "arms" sticking up in the air)
are held close to the Galea (the hood).

Pterostylis erecta

 Note the cheeky little poking-out labellum tip.
(click on image to enlarge it).

Pterostylis erecta

The ever reliable Colin and Mischa Rowan, of RetiredAussies.com have a good page of photos of these plants photographed last year, at Nowra.
Have a look at their excellent images.
http://www.retiredaussies.com/ColinsHome%20Page/OrchidsNSW/Pterostylis/Pterostylis%20erecta%20NSW/Pterostylis%20erecta%20NSW.htm

Edit: 
I left in a bit of a hurry, earlier (rushed off to Trivia Night)
I gave you links, but it is better to see the two species on the one page.

Pterostylis pedunculata

 Note the dark reddish-brown (mahogany coloured) front.

Pterostylis pedunculata

Note the white back of the flower,.
and the contrasting mahogany-coloured front of the flower.
Also the "gap" where the lateral sepals arch forward,
before swinging back up to form the "points".

Pterostylis pedunculata

 This shows what I refer to the "fat bum" of this species.
It is noticeably broader than the narrower Pterostylis erecta.

Pterostylis pedunculata

When presented together like these, it is hard to imagine not being able to tell them apart.

But in the field, without the two species together (in other words, working off memory), it is not that easy. For the two species are very similar in form.
Worse, there is another species as well, which is regarded as being between these two.

Pterostylis oblonga - which I shall leave for another day.

Its all too hard (for me) let alone for you dear readers.

Cryptostylis erecta (the Bonnet Orchid, or Tartan Orchid)

Cryptostylis erecta is a Tongue Orchid, but it is better known as the "Bonnet Orchid", or the "Tartan Orchid".

It tends to grow in coastal areas, but is known to occur in the Blue Mountains as well. But when I went out with Alan Stephenson the other day, to Leebold Hill (Cambewarra Range Nature Reserve) above Kangaroo Valley, I  said to Alan that I was hoping to find the Bonnet Orchid. It may occur in my immediate area of Robertson/Kangaloon/Fitzroy Falls, but I do not know of it growing there. Hence my interest in looking for it, on the wonderful high ridge above Cambewarra, and Kangaroo Valley. The habitat is similar to my local sandstone plateau areas, but it is warmer and wetter over there. The altitude is similar, but the Shoalhaven Valley region has a climate all of its own.

One can see why it earns both common names.

Bonnet Orchid, for the shape,

and Tartan Orchid for the colour and patterns.

Bonnet Orchid Cryptostylis erecta

Here it is, as I first found it.

It is growing in moist mossy soil, amongst grasses and rushes

over a shallow rock shelf (exposed rocks in background).

Bonnet Orchid Cryptostylis erecta

A closer view, to show the shape of the flowers.

Bonnet Orchid Cryptostylis erecta

Here is another close-up of the flower.

Add caption

It is appropriate to mention that this species is the main one featured in that Video I linked to last week, about "sexual deception" of Wasps by Orchids. Video by Macquarie University people (as named in the Video credits). That previous post was primarily about a related plant Cryptostylis subulata

And just for the record, the botanical illustration on the PlantNET site, for this species, Cryptostylis erecta actually illustrates the pollination process in detail.

Click on image to see in full size. 

Note the wasp pollinating the top-right flower, 

and the "reproductive organs" of the flower drawn in detail.

Original sketch by L. Elkan.

Botanical illustration for Cryptostylis erecta (courtesy of PlantNET)

Beard Orchids (Calochilus sp)

The "Beardies" are coming into bloom.

This is the Red Beard Orchid, Calochilus paludosus.

Its specific name means "swamp-liking", as seemed appropriate for this specimen, which was growing amongst rushes on a "soak", high on Leebold Hill at Red Rock Reserve (top of Cambewarra Range), above Kangaroo Valley. But it can also be found on dry sandstone slopes in Kangaloon.

As these flowers mature (especially in warm weather) the dorsal sepals of this species will open virtually to a reflex position (almost lying flat - backwards).

All of these images might need to be clicked on, to enlarge them, to see the details.

Calochilus paludosus - Red Beard Orchid - side view

Calochilus paludosus - Red Beard Orchid - note the golden base of the labellum

This next species was previously known as Calochilus robertsonii, but has now been re-named.

Calochilus platychilus - Purple Beard Orchid

Calochilus platychilus - Purple Beard Orchid

Calochilus platychilus - low angle view to show the column details.

Calochilus paludodus showing the fully reflexed dorsal sepal

 This plant was photographed yesterday at Douglas Park,

above the Nepean River,

at the St Mary's Tower monastery..

It does also grow at Kangaloon and in Kangaroo Valley.
The third local species is the "Copper Beard Orchid" 
Calochilus campestris.

Calochilus campestris - note the large "nose" (the column)

Calochilus campestris has two dark, flattened plates high on the labellum