Hymenochilus arrives

Thanks to some early investigations by friends who are orchid experts we are aware of a few sites around the property where Hymenochilus (small greenhood orchids) can be expected.  Last year they had appeared by late September, but the drier conditions of 2011 seem to have delayed their arrival.

On 9 October I found several that had advanced beyond the 'rosette' stage.  In the first case the qualifier "barely" could be applied to "advanced".

A second plant had an obvious stem, but the bud was still very tight.

A third plant has almost developed a fully visible set of flowers.  The first image shows the whole plant, while the second zooms in to the flowers.

It is obvious from the above that the plants are growing in a mossy environment, with rock very close to the surface (and on occasion outcropping).  They are mainly quite close to the dominant Kunzea ericoides (aka Burgan) scrub with the most advanced plant a little more exposed (and thus getting more light).  Here is a habitat shot from 9 October.

Obviously watching paint dry is like time-lapse photography compared to waiting for a Hymenochilus to emerge and flaunt its labellum (which is necessary to identify it to species level).  The next two images are from 10 October and 11 October respectively!

Finally, finally on October 14 I managed to find a floret open well enough to see the basal appendage on the labellum.  Sure enough it was as expected Hymenochilus cycnocephalus - the Swan Greenhood.