Bluebeard Orchid (Pheladenia deformis - formerly Caladenia deformis)

Flowers in Spring (Aug - Oct), favours heathland, box forests, coastal scrubs.

The lip has blue calli in densely crowded rows which gives the appearance of a beard.  It is among the first to flower in spring.  The photo ruler indicates the height of this particular plant - a total of 6.5 inches (16.5cm).

Pollination of the Pheladenia species has been studied very little but it is thought that smaller ones are pollinated by bees.

Mallee Bearded Greenhood (Plumatichilos sp.aff. plumosum: Mallee - formerly Pterostylis sp.aff. plumosa - Mallee)

Flowers in Spring (Sept - Nov), favours mallee shrubland, broombush thickets, in well drained soil.

Flower is translucent, a long labellum is adorned with yellow hairs and a small knob at the apex.

All known pollinators of the Genus Plumatichilos have been male insects of the fungus gnat and mosquito family.