Corybas barbarae
D. L. Jones
A helmet orchid
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(c) Scott W. Gavins, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Scott W. Gavins
Summary
Source: WikipediaCorybas barbarae, commonly known as fairy lanterns, is a species of terrestrial orchid endemic to eastern Australia including Lord Howe Island. It has a single dark green or reddish green, heart-shaped leaf and a small sparkling white or pinkish flower with an inflated dorsal sepal obscuring its hairy labellum.
Description
A small ground orchid. It grows 2-4 m tall in flower. It has a round tuber and one leaf at the base. This is round or heart shaped and 1.4-3.5 cm long by 1.4-3.6 cm wide. It lies flat on the ground. It is greyish-green above and reddish-purple underneath. There is one flower that is white with a pink tinge at the tip. The fruit is a capsule 2 cm long.
Edible Uses
The tuber is eaten.
Distribution
It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in moist sheltered sites on well-drained soils. It can be on rocky headlands.
Where It Grows
Australia*,
References (2)
- Melzer, R. & Plumb, J., 2011, Plants of Capricornia. Belgamba, Rockhampton. p 493
- Pearson, S. & A., 1992, Rainforest Plants of Eastern Australia. Kangaroo Press p 67
