Communities

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Scientific Name

Paracaleana minor

Family Name

ORCHIDACEAE

Common Name

Small Duck Orchid

Status

Height

0.15m (15cm)

Flowers

Small, 2-3 occasionally 7. The reddish column and its wings make the 'body' of the duck.

Fruit

Form

Very slender plant with flowering stem erect and wiry.

Municipalities

Communities

Coastal Vegetation; Heath

Habitat Notes

Occasional but widespread in damp coastal heaths.

Site Tolerance

Exposed; Moist; Windy

Frost Tolerance

Soil Tolerance

Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; Poor; Poorly-drained; Sandy

General Notes

The labelllum at top of flower is covered with dark red raised glands and attached by a narrow flexible strap which acts as a hinge enabling the 'head' to swing down when an insect alights on the flower. Pollination is effected as the insect struggles out of the body cavity. Suitable below powerlines.

Propagation Details

Propagation Calendar

Flowering Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Collecting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sowing Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Cutting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Seed Treatment Method

Standard

Seed Storage Life

Viable Seeds Per Gram

Seed Treatment Notes

Orchid seeds are very minute yellow, brown or blackish dust-like particles. Orchid seeds are produced within a capsule that splits at maturity and releases tousands to millions of seeds. Dispersed by wind and water and only germinate following infection of the embryo by a suitable mycorrhizal fungus. Very few seeds become mature plants. For more information see Jones, Wapstra, Tonelli, Harris (1999): The Orchids of Tasmania.

Germination Time

Suitable for Direct Seeding

Cuttings

Expected Time to Take Root

Expected Time to Plant Out

Propagation by Division N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.

Cutting Notes