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rchids of Scott Creek Conservation Park As we have mentioned elsewhere, over sixty species of orchid have been recorded in the park. Though many are common and found in throughout the park, some are extremely rare. By popular request, we have added some more orchid photos to this page! |
The extraordinary profusion of species is due to the park's diverse habitats. On its eastern side, the park has an elevation of 400 metres, but this falls away 200 metres as you travel west, towards Scott Creek itself.
There are several fern gullies and bogs, as well as various woodland and grassland associations.
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The Common Bearded Orchid Calochilus robertsonii flowers from September through to early December. It's often found in the park near the base of old messmate stringy barks - Eucalyptus obliqua. |
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The
Fringed hare-orchid,
Leporella fimbriata flowers from March through to June. It is pollinated by a species of aggressive hopper ant. Watch for them while you admire the orchid! close up |
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The Bayonet Spider-orchid The Native Orchid Society of SA have recently published an article about the Scott Creek population. |
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These
two photos are by Tom Hands
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The
Banded Greenhood
Pterostylis sanguinea flowers from April until September. It is wide spread throughout the park, and where conditions particularly suit it, individuals can be seen of up to 40 cm in height. It has a very long lived flower. close up |
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The
Rusty or Veined Greenhood
Please let us know if you see it! It flowers from late August to
early December.
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Rabbit Ears or Hare Orchid Leptoceras menziessii is a common orchid in the park. Flowering is only profuse after disturbance or fire and occurs between September and November. close up |
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The
Maroon Hood Orchid Pterostylis pedunculata is extremely common in the park and flowers between July and November. It grows in shady wet areas where it forms very dense colonies. |
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The
Great or Giant Sun-orchid Thelymitra grandiflora is indeed huge, often a metre high, its pleasant scented flowers can be seen between September and November in open forest. |
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The
Bearded Greenhood Plumatichilus (previously Pterostylis) plumosa is famous for tantalizing photographers with its plume, which moves with the slightest breeze, leaving them to wonder at what moment they should take its picture! It flowers between July and November. close up |
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The Orchids of South Australia, by R.J. Bates (a Friend of Scott Creek) and J.Z.Weber. An excellent book, with a fine selection of photographs. It's Blue with Five Petals, Wildflowers of the Adelaide Region, by Ann Prescott. This guide helps you identify not only orchids, but many of the other plants of the Adelaide Hills.
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Photo : Tom Hands
Except where otherwise stated, the photos on this page have been kindly given to the friends by Mr. Philip Bridle.
And by popular request, here's a second page of Philip's orchid pictures.
