Dockrillia linguiforme

[ArronOB]

We don't get many species of wild orchid around here, and not any are epiphytes, which I think is largely because most of the local trees are eucalypts which shed their bark constantly. I photographed this specimen of Dorckrillia (Dendrobium) linguiforme in the bushland behind our house.

What I find interesting is the quantity of leaf litter permanently backed up behind the plant on the rock slope. No doubt providing plenty of nutrients and a little moisture. This specimen was doing much better then the others nearby which weren't so favoured and were really suffering after our record dry autumn. I guess if autumn had been unusually wet this one would have been suffering and the others prospering.

cheers
Arron