Native terrestrial orchids are often very small, fragile, and sometimes a little difficult to see in their native environment. Once you become familiar with the different species, your eyes become trained, and they are more easily found. It is a delightful surprise to find a native
orchid in its natural habitat and many of the orchids shown here have been found at the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens.
The Hunter Region Botanic Gardens are fortunate to have 130ha of pristine bushland, thus providing an ideal habitat for many of the 29 species of native terrestrial orchids we have
discovered on site, one as recently as 2020. Native orchids are a very strong indicator of the ecological health of an environment, and as such, stand alone as a valuable commodity in any ecosystem. Native orchids all over the world are becoming rare and endangered, and in many cases are already extinct. The threat of extinction highlights the importance of the
native bushland at HRBG and indeed, all remaining areas of remnant bushland, so vital to the long term survival of plant and animal communities.
Some native orchids, particularly those of the Pterostylis and Caladenia genera, appear regularly from year to year at HRBG, others such as Cryptostylis do not flower for many consecutive years before they again, unexpectedly, show signs of life.
Our volunteers are always ‘on watch’ for native orchids, and news travels fast when they are discovered.
All images are by Lynda McPherson.
