Christmas Bells

Christmas Bells
Christmas Bells - Blandfordia nobilis

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Eriochilus cucullatus - by way of comparison

This is the amusing little Orchid known as Parson's Bands or "Bunnies Ears". Officially known as Eriochilus cucullatus. It is one of the most common of the late summer Orchids in this region (in truth it might be found from February onwards, into April).
Eriochilus cucullatus
It is relatively common in the Southern Highlands, with a distinct preference for shallow sandy soil, or moss beds over rock shelves. It likes to grow in fully exposed places. Around Robertson it grows in the drier parts of Tourist Road. It also is very common on the moss beds covering the rock faces on the top of Mt Gibraltar ("The Gib").
Eriochilus cucullatus flower stem
By contrast with yesterday's plant Eriochilus petricola, this plant leaf is not well developed at flowering time, and it is green on top and underneath (not red underneath).
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I have written about this species, and its quaint clerical name, previously. In fact when I did, I commented that one day I hoped to see the related species Eriochilus petricola. That wish was fulfilled in yesterday's Blog posting. It has taken me two years to find that species.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Denis,

Super funny, this orchid. Looks somehow like Kermit the frog from the muppet show, which has borrowed from Piggy miss her skirt up and warmly welcomed with: applause, applause.

Peter

Denis Wilson said...

Hi Peter
Thanks. Wow, do you have a Muppets fetish or something? That's OK.
It just shows how we all interpret things in our minds.
As a matter of interest, did you see my blue Fungus on the the Blog Post the day before?
Not good photos, but an interesting specimen.
I hope to go back there next week, and will look for more specimens.
Denis

Anonymous said...

Hi Denis,

No, I do not have a Muppet Fetish
I have seen the mushroom, of course. This is certainly a fungus of the genus Entoloma. More but I can not say with reference to the images.
With you it's all now to autumn, and only comes back to us by nature. Next week it goes on holiday to Croatia. Let's see what there is of orchids, plants and fungi.

Peter

Denis Wilson said...

Peter. Thanks for confirmation of the Entoloma naming.
I hope you enjoy the hills of Croatia, and find lots of Orchids and maybe some Springtime Fungi.
We will have a visit to Robertson in two weeks time of the Sydney Fungal Studies Group.
You would enjoy that day.
There will be photos, of course.
Denis