Rare orchids: Corybas barbarae

Corybas barbarae, also known as Fairy Lantern, is native to eastern Australia from just north of Sydney up to the Atherton Tablelands and Mossman. It is also found on Lord Howe Island. It is terrestrial and grows in small colonies in moist, protected, open woodland, in well-drained soil.

The flowering period is May to July. It is deciduous and will die back to a tuber in spring before the heat of summer. Reproduction is through seed and vegetative growth. Though the plant is ground hugging, if the flower is pollinated the flower spike will elongate and raise the seed capsule some 15cm high for more effective seed dispersal.

They are pollinated by fungus gnats. A plant will send out runners on the end of which will form a small bulblet. This is what led to the single plant growing in the saucer and how colonies are formed. They are susceptible to leaf-rot and require a well-drained mix. I use approximately 40% coarse sand in the mix with the remainder being a good commercial potting mix.

These plants have not received any fertiliser for 12 months and I have in the past only fertilised my Australian ground orchids with a weak ‘roo poo tea’ upon commencement of growth.

Author: Don