Orchids

[plucker]

Hi guys and girls,
I have become interested is lots of flora and fauna over the years and on quite a few trips up that way have noticed lots of unique orchids in the Cape.

Most orchids are recognisable by their bright flowers like the Den. biggum superbum or Cooktown Orchid which is QLD's floral emblem.

A lot of orchids in the North will be in the growth mode during the wet but should flower in the next few months.

I also believe that a lot of orchids in the Cape are rare and possibly undiscovered and would like to keep their exact location secret.

My question is, since you Cape Yorkers are there all the time, if you see an orchid in flower, try your best to capture a photo of the flower and give a very brief description of the location, like "Lochart area," and when it was in flower. (month)

Unfortunately there are lots of poachers out there so we definately dont want these things stolen but merely enjoyed by all if you are in the general area.

[geoffjy]

Hi guys and girls,
I have become interested is lots of flora and fauna over the years and on quite a few trips up that way have noticed lots of unique orchids in the Cape.

Most orchids are recognisable by their bright flowers like the Den. biggum superbum or Cooktown Orchid which is QLD's floral emblem.

A lot of orchids in the North will be in the growth mode during the wet but should flower in the next few months.

I also believe that a lot of orchids in the Cape are rare and possibly undiscovered and would like to keep their exact location secret.

My question is, since you Cape Yorkers are there all the time, if you see an orchid in flower, try your best to capture a photo of the flower and give a very brief description of the location, like "Lochart area," and when it was in flower. (month)

Unfortunately there are lots of poachers out there so we definately dont want these things stolen but merely enjoyed by all if you are in the general area.

Will do Plucker. I should have the opportunity to photograph a few specimens in January. When i get back i will post up here.

Cheers,

[xina]

Found the Reptile book, now I can't find the Orchid Book I want. Anyway, David L. Jones published a very good Orchid book in 1988 titled Native Orchids of Australia. If you can find it, it's very good for identifying Orchids. It's about 2 inches thick.
Just did some Googling, and found he has since published another one, [2006] titled A Complete guide to Native Orchids of Australia, including the Island Territories. I'll have to try and find that one myself.

Cheers,
xina.

[plucker]

Xina, I actually purchased that Native Orchids of Australia last Christmas which is one of the reasons it has sparked my interest.

It is a very good reference book, but I know of at least one that is not in it which is located in bottom end of Lakefield National Park. It flowers in September and looks to the common Golden Orchid found virtually everywhere north of about Mackay, except 1/4 the size. Sorry no photos as they were the days before digital cameras.

I believe there is possibly dozens of unlisted orchids all over the Cape which is why I thought we could enlighten people.

[xina]

Hi Plucker,
There are so many variations of the "Goldie". I had collected about a dozen or more when I lived on Wattle Hill. I also found quite a few other Orchids that were not listed as growing that far North. There is one place there that I called Orchid Hill. You had to watch where you put your feet, they were so abundant.
I sent Ant a photo of that place once, but there was one package he never got, and I don't know if that was the one it was in. I'm no good at putting copies of photos on the net. I'll have to bring it along on the Tag-along.
Never got around to finding the Vanda though. I was going to try and get a business going, supplying Nurseries with seed from Native Orchids, so people wouldn't take them from the wild. Had permission from NPWS at the time, but everything turned to Shxxxxxxxt, and I ended up leaving. That's how I came to have such a collection. I was only able to do it because I was a share-holder at the time.
Have you got the more recent book, or the earlier one?
Cheers,
xina.

[xina]

If you're really getting into Orchids Plucker, the "Bible" of Australian Orchids used to be a book by A.W. DOCKRILL. It was out of print for years, but it was Re-printed a few years ago. Expensive, but still a good one for the real enthusiast.
You'd probably be able to find out where to buy it from one of the Orchid Societies.
Cheers,
xina.

[plucker]

The book called Native Orchids of Australia by David Jones is the latest model which is a fantastic piece of work.

Interesting to hear that you were collecting specimens via seed propagation, which must mean you have seen a few.

Most people are oblivious to these things much like other flaura and fauna, which would be one of the reasons not too many have seen the quoll mentioned in other threads and the green snake also mentioned in other threads.

Dont get me wrong, the more you see and look the more you notice in this wonderfull place which is why everyone goes there in the first place.

[xina]

I'm afraid I'm one of those people who notices when things look different or out of place etc., Plucker. When I find my book, I'll let you know which ones I found if you like. I used to write them inside the back cover.
Off the subject a bit, but do you know anything about different coloured Clays? There is an area on the beach at Temple Bay, where there are 3 different colours of clay.
Cheers,
xina.

[plucker]

Sorry Xina, dont know too much about clay although I did help with sediment samples in some river beds. Dont know much about that either although I know how to collect and store it ready for the lab.
It was that interesting that I was looking for orchids and watching the birds and animals getting around. After all to me mud is mud.

[xina]

Just wondered Plucker. I read years ago that Diamonds are found where there is Blue Clay. [In South Africa anyway.] Don't know if the same applies here.
Cheers,
xina.

[xina]

Found the Orchid book Plucker. I'll wait 'till after New Year to get to that. I've got a bit on at the moment, like every-one else, and I'll need to check a couple of things first with a clearer head.
Cheers,
xina.

[plucker]

I currently have a Cooktown Orchid in flower and although it is not in the wild, I should be able to get a good photo this weekend.
For those who are unaware, this is Queenslands floral emblem, and worthy of it too.

[xina]

What colour Plucker?
Cheers,
xina.

[plucker]

The purple one Xina. Currently there are 2 sprays with lots of blooms.
My father has the alba or white one, but he in down in CQ and is about a month behind.
I would imagine that the ones in the wild would be almost finished flowering if the critters hadn't eaten them already.

Have you seen the white one's out there Xina, or even the purple ones?

[xina]

If you mean the Cape Plucker, yes! They grow on Wattle Hill, and I've seen them at Mosquito Point,[just south of Temple Bay] growing on the rocks facing east,[and getting some sea-spray], as hardy as anything. Both colours, Purple and White.
Cheers,
xina.

[plucker]

Thats fantastic.

[xina]

I've seen them from the Deep pink, and different depths of colour through to White.

Terrestrials: Bromheadia pulchra. [Bromley] Spathoglottis plicata. [W.Hill.] Dipodium stenochilum.[Bromley.] Liparis habenarina.[W.H.] Nervilia plicata.[W. Hill.]

Epiphytes : Dendrobium antennatum.[W.H.] D. bifalce.[W.H.] D. bigibbum [W.H.] D.canaliculatum.[Bromley & W.H.] D. carronii. [W.H.] D. Discolor [I had I think at least half a dozen different ones.] D rigidum.[W.H.] D. smilliae.[ Bromley & W.H.]This is one of my favourites, because it's so different.] D.stuartii[now tetrodon] [W. H.][Has zig-zag canes.] D. superbiens.[Bromley, Olive River area.] D. trimellatum.[W.H.] D wassellii.[W.H.]
Cadetia taylori.[W.H.] Diplocaulobium glabrum.[W.H.] Bulbophyllum baileyi.[W.H.] Chiloschista phyllorhiza.[W.H.] Luisia teretifolia.[W H.] Pomotocalpa marsupiale.[W.H.][Think I had Macphersonii too, but not positive.] Rhinerrhiza moorei.[W.H.] Robiquetia tierneyana. [Both I think, W.H.] Sarcochilus falcatus.[W.H.] Sarcochilus olivaceous.[W.H.]

On the hill I called Orchid Hill, there were at least 4 different types of D. discolor, Bulbophyllum[not baileyi] Cadetia, Liparis, D smilliea, Luisia, D.rigidum, Geodorum, 3 different Hoyas, Robiquetia[Different.], Pholidota, Dracaena, and Umbrella trees.

If you have any queries, let me know Plucker. I might have neglected to unclude some, but not many I think. Never did find the Vanda, but didn't get a chance to really look.
Cheers,
xina.

[plucker]

Wow Xina, sounds like a real piece of paradise that area you love so much. I see why you are so keen to get back.
Do you have a collection now?

[xina]

Unfortunately no Plucker. I gave my sister some to bring south before I left, and as far as I know they're still growing quite well at Glasshouse Mountains though. Even Smilliae.
Cheers,
xina.

[plucker]

Here is a photo of Qld's floral emblem which is commonly referred to as a Cooktown Orchid.
In name tags it is possibly referred as Den. Biggibum, amongst others.
This is a real Cape Yorker located from naturally North of about Cooktown up to TI.
They are fairly tough critters and should be in flower now, with quite a few flowers on each spike. They will probably be in the drier, more open scrub land, and would be obvious when in flower.
As Xina has mentioned they come in varying colours from pink to white.


http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc84/pluckerup/IMG_0313.jpg

[ant]

Great shot Plucker.
Would be good to see some pics of these in their natural location in Cape York.
I wonder if anyone can share a few?

[geoffjy]

On the way up recently, i noticed a few in flower in the gardens at Musgrave. Didnt get any photos though.