ORCHIDACEAE

Small Duck Orchid

 

0.15m (15cm) 

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

 

Very slender plant with flowering stem erect and wiry. 

 

Coastal Vegetation; Heath 

Occasional but widespread in damp coastal heaths. 

Exposed; Moist; Windy 

 

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

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. 

 

Standard 

 

 

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.