Friday, September 18, 2020

Some interesting terrestrials currently in bloom

I was very fortunate to get some South African and other terrestrial species late last year and earlier this year while they were still dormant. The South African ones (Satyrium odorum and Pterygodium catholicum are both native to Hermanus where I used to live, and seeing them bloom here in central Queensland is both an honour and a reminder of that beautiful place in the southwestern Cape. I have also been very fortunate to locate some Bonatea speciosa here (another Hermanus native) - specific plant stock which is stooped in botanical history regarding a particular well-known nurseryman who passed away and who had brought the same limited stock plants in from the USA many years ago. That is part of the interest I have with many orchids - the history, which I try to keep recorded for all my plants, if known. Another good example is a recent gift of Cynorkis guttata from a personal collection in Sydney which has been in continuous culture for 30 years in that collection.

I have included a few photos here of some interesting terrestrials that are currently in bloom, including the Satyrium odorum, Pterygodium catholicum, an Australian native, Chiloglottis af. truncata, and a European native, Serapias lingua. I have a few more beginning to bloom now too and will update this post with additional photos as I take additional ones.

Chiloglottis af. truncata

Pterygodium catholicum

Satyrium odorum

Satyrium odorum close-up

Satyrium ligulatum

Satyrium ligulatum

Serapias lingua

Microtis parviflora 23 Sept 20

Close-up of Microtis parviflora