Phaius australis

[OrchidLover1982]

Yes i believe bernaysii is a variety of australis not a separate species. All parts of the plant and flower is identical just a colour difference in the flower.

I am always seeing Phaius tankervilleae and Phaius wallichii being sold as Australian natives at orchids shows which is a little disturbing. Neither of which exist in Australia in the wild. Many mislabelled plants to. Here are some recent photos of australis a self pollinating plant. Sorry no recent photos of variety bernaysii just australis.


australis4 by zorbathegreek1982, on Flickr



australis3 by zorbathegreek1982, on Flickr


australis2 by zorbathegreek1982, on Flickr


australis1 by zorbathegreek1982, on Flickr

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Very nice plant and spike!

[RosieC]

Lovely flowers!

[OrchidLover1982]

Thanks. Here are some photos of the plant growing in the wild. I only recently managed to track down some wild plants (as the plant is hard to find) after much searching and walking through thick forest. Only a few individuals in this colony. Was really happy to see them how they grow in the wild. And one plant was still flowering (though at the end of its flowering).


DSCF2963 by zorbathegreek1982, on Flickr


DSCF2967 by zorbathegreek1982, on Flickr


DSCF2968 by zorbathegreek1982, on Flickr

[Bloomin_Aussie]

Good to know there still are some in the wild!

I was told that wallichii and its hybrids are identifiable by the flowers having a long spur. Is this a reliable identifying trait in your experience?

[OrchidLover1982]

Yeah there are but took me years of searching to find any. Couldn't find any in the local area so had to travel further. I really was determined to see what they look like and how they grow in the wild. Was worth the determination as I have a better understanding of them now and just how fragile they are in nature and fussy about habitat.

Wallichii is obviously different though being passed as australis by many sellers even with a native plant tag on them. I see it at shows all the time and try and tell people its not australis its wallichii. Wallichii has much different leaves to they are darker green thicker and more rigid, much more broad/wide leaf. Flower lacks the striations on the inside of the labellum as australis has. Flowers face slightly upwards on wallichii and the laballum spur is much longer on wallichii. Most forms of australis are self pollinating while wallichii is not. Also seen tankervilleae being sold as a native but it does not exist in Australia in the wild.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Nice find, now next year you can go look when it is bloom. and take pictures so we can see it too hahahah.

[OrchidLover1982]

One plant was at the end of its flowering still a few flowers but the photo is a bit blurry. I will upload it on the pc soon and post it. I will try and go back but its over 2 hours of driving from here. Nice place. Only 2 plants had flowered one had pods and the other towards the end of its flowering so I need to time it exactly right if i make the journey

[OrchidLover1982]

Another photo I dug up on my pc. In my father's garden taken a few years ago

[euplusia]

Thanks for clearing up this confusion of species for us. And pictures of a habitat in nature are also welcome.