Calochilus robertsonii [Purplish Beard Orchid]

[DaveO]

Oldfield, D. 2013. Calochilus robertsonii Benth. (Orchidaceae) Purplish Beard Orchid. Flowers photographed in visible and ultraviolet light. http://www.ultraviol...h-beard-orchid/

 

Common Synonym

Beard orchid

 

Maldon, Victoria, Australia

Gower road, Maldon Historic Reserve

5 October 2013

Wildflower

 

Comment

A terrestrial orchid found in open forest and heathland.

 

Visible Light: Pentax K-5 Full Spectrum Modification, Quartz 105 mm f/4.0 lens, Nikon SB-15 flash, 1/180 s @ f/16 ISO 200, B+W UV/IR Cut Filter.

Image Reference: DO51426

 

Ultraviolet Light: Pentax K-5 Full Spectrum Modification, Quartz 105 mm f/4.0 lens, Nikon SB-14 flash, 1/180 s @ f/16 ISO 200, Baader UV-Pass Filter.

Image Reference: DO51436

 

References:

Jones, D. & B. A Field Guide to the Native Orchids of Southern Australia, Bloomings Books, 2000, p. 64.

 

Atlas of Living Australia http://bie.ala.org.a...lus+robertsonii

 

 

Published 24 October 2013

[nfoto]

This orchid has an amazing similarity to the European genus Serapis, for example S. cordigera. Must be some kind of convergent evolution at play. Are there any insights as to the kind of pollinators the Australian species has?

[DaveO]

A book has just been published, Orchid Pollinators of Victoria by Rudie H Kuiter, self published as Aquatic Photographics (rudiekuiter@optusnet.com.au) which deals mostly with orchids which try to deceive various species of native wasps. There is one record of Calochilus campestris (Copper beard orchid) being pollinated by the Yellow Hairy Flower Wasp (Campsomeris tasmaniensis) and a note that other species of Calochilus are not known to attract pollinators are appear to be self-pollinating. It appears that pollination generally takes place on hot days at temperatures over 30C.

[Andrea B.]

wow! The evolutionary specifics always amaze me. Very interesting flower.