This is a Cryptostylis subulata (Large Tongue Orchid) growing on the sandstone rock platform next to our house. This afternoon, I looked at it under the microscope. Extraordinary textures, but alas my photography can only begin to convey that.
A close up of the underside of the flower.
(Ruler in millimetres.)
4 comments:
Hiu Margaret,
I've also got a microscope and enjoy looking at little thingies with it.
It's always a pleasant surprise when you spot a dainty little orchid out in the bush.
Hi Melaleuca. Yep, microscopes are great, aren't they? When I was a kid I used to spend hours with a little 600x microscope looking at things I found in ponds. So much life.
This year I bought myself a stereo microscope (20x and 40x) on eBay. Not a particularly expensive one, but it's perfect for plant ID. And I've just bought the last of the four volumes of Flora of NSW, so pottering about with plants is now a total joy.
How are the moving plans going?
Fantastic photos Margaret. I've also seen this species this year -- it's a lovely plant!
Thanks, David!
I checked the garden again this morning, and the orchid flowers are popping up all over the place! I don't know if they're all going to turn out to be the same species. Hope I get others. There are certainly lots of humble orchid-type leaves around. A bit of a lucky dip.
That's one of the exciting things about moving into a new place with a bush garden. You really don't know what's going to appear among the leaf litter--especially when you clear out the weeds.
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