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.

A big day out at Tallong

Tallong is home to the Tallong Midge Orchid, (Corunastylis plumosa). This Corunastylis is endemic to the district, and likes to grow on mossy rock shelves. It grows under or close to the Violet Kunzea (Kunzea parvifolia) and Common Fringe-myrtle (Calytrix tetragona) shrubbery which dominates these generally dry and exposed rock mounds.This rare plant is listed as Endangered on the EPBC Act lists.

)

Corunastylis plumosa in situ
growing out of moist moss shelf.

Corunastylis plumosa at Tallong

Corunastylis plumosa at Tallong

Corunastylis plumosa at Tallong
Click to enlarge to see details.

 There were a few other species of Midge Orchids in flower today, at Tallong.

Corunastylis apostasioides (typically barely open)
Click to enlarge.

 We found a giant specimen of this species. 

The flowers had just finished.

Alan Stephenson measured it at 48 cm high

(The measurement is hard to read from above).

I do know it came up to my knee height.

Corunastylis fimbriata at Tallong

Corunastylis fimbriata - the Labellums flap in the breeze

Corunastylis simulans at Tallong
This plant also has a motile labellum
It is a rich purple colour.

We left the main Tallong area and went to the stunning Lookouts (and good Orchid habitats) of the district, overlooking the Upper Reaches of the Shoalhaven River.

Firstly we went to Long Point Lookout. This stunning place gives you great views of "Horseshoe Bend" in the Shoalhaven River.

Long Point Lookout view to the right (up-river)
Shoalhaven River.

Long Point Lookout view, looking straight down the river
Shoalhaven River - from Long Point Lookout.

Diplodium obtusum at Long Point Lookout

Growing on steep slopes of loose rocks
makes Diplodium obtusum hard to photograph.

Close-up of Diplodium obtusum
Note the "rolled edge" on the "sinus"
The labellum is still "set" but is hard to see.
Click to enlarge.

Diplodium obtusum rosettes forming
It is interesting to see so many  new plants forming up.
Presumably getting ready for next season.

A very large brown beetle seen at Long Point Lookout

 Then we drove to the next lookout. Badgery's Lookout is quite famous in geological circles because of the way one can look into the ancient past to see how the land has been formed.

• The sandstone cliff of the marine Snapper Point Formation [a body of rock] is adjacent to the lookout, while further east, a cliff with three distinct levels can be seen, a lower sandstone cliff [Snapper Point Formation], a plateau in the middle [Wandrawandrian Siltstone] and an upper sandstone cliff [Nowra Sandstone]. [Mulwaree Shire Community Heritage Study, 2002 - 2004 - P. 20]

Shoalhaven River seen from Badgery's Lookout

I was surprised to see "Cycads" or "Burrawangs" growing on the steep scree slope opposite and to the left from Badgery's Lookout. They were not across the main valley of the Shoalhaven, but across a gully to the east from the lookout. The reason I was surprised is that I normally associate these plants with deep sandy soils. But after checking PlantNET. there is only one species list anywhere near this area, and that is Macrozamia communis.

Cycads on rocky scree slope - from Badgery's Lookout

View toward Bungonia from Badgery Lookout

Bungonia mine from Badgery's Lookout
This is a terrible scar on the landscape,
but only a few visitors to Badgery's Lookout see this view.

One of the interesting things about these two lookout, quite close, and overlooking the same river, is the different species of plants found at these two locations. Presumably there are minor changes in geology between them, which influence the plants which feel comfortable growing in the two different soil types.

In this case, we find Diplodium reflexum growing at Badgery's Lookout, and not Dipl. obtusum. We found such good displays of these Orchids, that even though both Alan and I knew they grew here, and had seen them in previous years, we both felt that this was the best season for these plants which we had ever encountered.

Long pointed nose of Diplodium reflexum

Close-up of Diplodium reflexum

We found many "groups" of these plants. One loose group had 8 plants in it, but this tight cluster was better for me to photograph. They were in terrific form and condition. There were obvious signs of recent heavy rain in the district, which has presumably helped them bring on flowering in such profusion.

Diplodium reflexum - four fine plants growing together.

An even better cluster of Diplodium reflexum

Never knowing "When to say When", we continued back towards Fitzroy Falls and then we took a divergence to Meryla Pass (the head of Griffins Fire Trail). Alan is familiar with the bottom end of that track, in Kangaroo Valley, but had never been to the top.

I took him down several hundred metres along the Griffins FT, to see an exposed seam of coal there. Of course we found Orchids as well. Chiloglottis reflexa and Alan spotted a number of plants of Cymbidium suave

At this point, although I love the views along that road, I was in need of "Calling it a Day".

But then I came home, had a bite to eat, and sat down and took 5 hours to Blog about it, didn't I?
 

But I can sleep well, now having found a rare and endangered plant (the Tallong Midge Orchid), and the very best display of Diplodium reflexum which either Alan or I had ever seen.

Another Midge Orchid - Corunastylis formosa (ID now uncertain 8.2.2014)

I am not going to waffle on much tonight, 
but simply present a bunch of photos from today.

Some of them are here simply because they are so "pretty".

Golden Everlastings with a "Looper Caterpillar"
feeding on the pollen of the Daisy flower.
From Mt Gibraltar - at the edge of the wet Eucalypt forest there.

A "Looper Caterpillar" feeding on pollen of  Golden Everlasting Daisy

An exciting moment for me. 
I saw a Wedge-tailed Eagle on the ground 

feeding on a road-killed Grey Kangaroo.

It was beside the road, 
and did not fly when I drove past.

I stopped up the road about 200 metres, 
and turned and drove back very quietly.

By the time I got back, the bird had flown to a tree

but it had not flown away....... Remarkable for a shy bird.

Click to enlarge. The "Wedgie" is giving me the "stare"

It was watching me intently

and even giving a high-pitched call.

You can hear a Wedgie's alarm call by clicking here.

Clearly it wanted me to drive away, 
so it could resume feeding.

I obliged it - by leaving it in peace.

Wedge-tailed Eagle, head turned reveals red colour on back of neck.

This post has been revised as the original plant ID was
eventually found not to be correct. 
Now, to deal with the promised Midge Orchid.

It is another "new species" for me.

Corunastylis formosa
It is known as the Cathcart Midge Orchid,
because it was first described from there - 
a small place east from Bombala, south-east from Cooma. 
See Map here. 

Apart from a single image in David Jones's Orchid book
I can find no published images of Corunastylis formosa
to act as a "verification" of my ID of this plant.

If I am correct in that comment, by the way,
then this may be the first photo of 
Corunastylis formosa available
on the Internet.
(DJW - I now regard that ID as uncertain - 9 Feb 2014)


I shall publish another Post in several days time,
with more detailed images of the plant and
also the original Botanical drawing published
by David Jones in the Orchadian 
when he formally "described" the species (i.e., "named it").

I believe I saw this species last year, but they were "past it"

and I don't believe I got a proper ID for these plants then.

I have since confirmed this ID with Alan Stephenson
and also by phone and email, with Colin Rowan.

These plants were growing in moist grass, 
close to (but not in) Butlers Swamp

at Tourist Road, Kangaloon.

Corunastylis formosa along Tourist Road

A slightly closer shot - showing the Cathcart Midge Orchid 
as one sees it when walking past.

It seems to like growing amongst grass 

about 12 inches high (approx 300mm).

Open grassland, with Eucalypts about, but not shading these plants,

Base soil is derived from sandstone, but fairly moist soil.

Corunastylis formosa - purplish labellum is fringed, dorsal sepal is not.

****************

And I promised to give you some more "pretties". 

The best Christmas Bells I have seen this season.

Christmas Bells at Butlers Swamp (on roadside verge)

Summer Orchids starting up - in Kangaloon.

The Orchid enthusiasts of the South Coast have been reporting Hyacinth Orchids and various Tongue Orchids to be on flower from several weeks now.
They are slower to start up here in the Southern Highlands.

a dark form of Hyacinth Orchid, possibly Dipodium punctatum

A paler Hyacinth Orchid - probably Dipodium roseum

Small Tongue Orchid - Cryptostylis leptochila

Close-up of column of Cryptostylis leptochila

Kirsten going for close-up shots

Lena asking "are you guys finished yet?"

Dragonfly - black and gold. Photo not good enough for ID purposes

 With my hip still in recovery stage, 

I am not going to get "down and dirty" just yet,

to photograph these tiny flowers up close.

The link below takes you to a post from last January,

when I was able to get close-up readily enough.

Tiny cherry-red Midge Orchid Corunastylis densa

Interestingly, the Corunastylis tribe (Midge Orchids) are generally late summer and autumn flowerers.
But I have this theory that that the "late flowering" Orchids need to flower earlier up here in the Highlands, in order to get their seeds ripe before the cold and/or wet season takes control.
On the Shoalhaven coast, these plants (as a group) generally flower much later than here - some as late as mid April.

Two midget Midge Orchids

These Corunastylis are not as short as several others you have seen this summer have been, but their flowers are very small, none the less. Hence today's title. Plus, I love the "sound" of it. 

Both of these species were "new" for me, when Alan Stephenson showed them to me, last Friday. With the Pharochilum daintreanum, the  Speculantha ventricosa, and today's two new species (for me), it was a big day.

This is Corunastylis despectans, as found in Tomerong, NSW (south from Nowra). This plant has a very limited distribution and is classed as a threatened species (ROTAP category 2K )

This is how little one tends to see - at first, until one gets down and dirty, to examine it closely. 

One needs to do that, because even with a good macro lens, it is hard to distinguish these flowers. I shall try to describe the subtle differences between these plants.

Corunastylis despectans (in situ)

Corunastylis despectans (red form)

If you click to enlarge this image you can see

that the labellum of the flower in the centre of the image

and also the lowers flower

is clearly anarrow wedge-shaped labellum

(in contrast with the next species 2 images below).

Corunastylis despectans - same plant - a bit closer

This specimen of Corunastylis despectans 

is considerably lighter in colour than the previous one.

Corunastylis despectans (light coloured form).

Colin and Mischa Rowan have a full page of images of this species, taken on a recent visit to the Nowra district.

******

Here is Corunastylis laminata, 
another small-flowered Midge Orchid.

This is what one sees when bending down to peer at the plant.

Corunastylis laminata, another reddish Midge Orchid

I was having trouble getting proper focus,

so I have borrowed some photos from Alan Stephenson. 

Thanks Alan.

Here is one of Alan's images 
from the same place as my photo above.

(Falls Creek, south from Nowra, NSW)

If you click to enlarge, you can detect that

this species has a furry tip to the labellum.

Corunastylis laminata - Falls Crk, NSW (Photo: Alan Stephenson)

Here is a second plant from the same place

If you click to enlarge this shot 
you can see that the labellum 

(facing the camera on about the 3rd flower from top)

is noticeably broader than the

tiny wedge-shaped labellum of the first species 
(discussed above).

Corunastylis laminata - Falls Crk, NSW (Photo: Alan Stephenson)

This image was taken by Alan elsewhere, on another day.

It is the same species - (Corunastylis laminata).
Once again, one can see the broad upper side of the labellum
especially obvious on the lowest flower.
One can also just discern the small hairs
on the edge of the labellum.

Corunastylis laminata - Yarran Road NSW (Photo: Alan Stephenson)

My thanks once again to Alan Stephenson 

for the use of his 3 images tonight.

Once again, Colin and Mischa Rowan have excellent photos

of this species on their site.