Dockrillia linguiforme
 

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

Thank you. It's always great to learn about orchids in habitat. What is a nearby weather station for us to look up your climate? How much direct sun does that plant get? Is fire a regular part of the environment?

For those of you much smarter than I in recognizing orchids growing in the wild...Bravo. TY for noticing and bringing attention to beauty that would probably be overlooked by me if I had the good fortune to visit your country.

Very nice! :)

WOW! Thank you for sharing this amazing picture of the Drockrillia linguiforme, it’s amazing. I love Drockrillia, all of them. This plant is huge and looks very healthy, hopefully you will see it flowering one day.

I have three small linguiforme mounted on a log and they have grown well in the short time I’ve had them. The Drockrillia are, for me, so un-orchid looking that I’m fascinated by them.

Again, thanks for sharing:)

Thanks for sharing.

Weather-wise, we are most closely aligned to this station in winter (a bit hotter in summer, and more humid).
Latest Capital City Observations Sydney - Observatory Hill

Growing under a 50/50 tree canopy, mostly angophora, spotted gum and scribbly-bark gum. There is periodic fire in the region, probably every decade or so a good blaze goes through. The only other orchids I can think of in the area are Dendrobium speciosum and Cymbidium suave. There are a handful of terrestrial species growing in more open country. I cant think of what else is relevant.

Heres another specimen that was growing on the same rock. Rather interesting the way its sheltering under the rock edge, I guess its seeking moisture too.

Thank you. Your summers aren't as warm as I had thought:
December 2017 Capital City Observations Sydney - Observatory Hill

I guess I won't try it outside here. 109 F = 43C
Current Forecast: Phoenix Arizona

But this should do really well outside all year for orchidophiles in southern California.

Yep. The variations in US weather seems amazing to me. I can’t imagine living in a place that has snow in winter AND be stifling hot in summer. Then throw in tornadoes, cyclones, floods, drought, deep cold snaps and blizzards - it’s amazing the adversity that Americans so robustly put up with.

It’s this difference in variation that makes it difficult to map US climate zones against Australian, and most other countries too. I just concentrate on the low values, as I understand that’s how they were originally intended to be used, but it’s likely that an equivalent climate zone in Australia would have a very much cooler climate in summer. It might have a cooler winter too, on average, it’s just that there won’t be the extremes of cold.

Cheers
Arron