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Copper Beard Orchid
~ Calochilus campestris ~
ORCHIDACEAE
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You know that luscious long beard you can’t take your eyes off? That’s called a labellum and most Orchids possess this body part in many different forms. It’s basically just a large petal that acts as a landing pad for insect pollinators. The Copper Beard Orchid, similar to the Spider Orchid (see p. 3), also lures a male wasp into its deceitful polleny clutches. The male Yellow Hairy Flower Wasp (a great name) is lured in by what he thinks is the scent of a female. He heads straight to that landing pad to greet his new lady friend, only to be dusted with orchid pollen and gifted a broken heart. Like other Orchids, the Copper Beard Orchid also has a symbiotic relationship with Mycorrhizal Fungi (see p. 3).
WHERE TO LOOK
These bearded fellas are widespread throughout the mid-east to south-east coast of Australia. They prefer shady areas and reside in coastal and inland heaths, on mountain slopes and near swamps. They are less prominent in South Australia and are considered endangered in lutruwita (Tasmania). They can be found among short grasses in the company of many Native Orchids as well as the Common Fringe Lily (see p. 13) and Happy Wanderer (see p. 17).
Locations → Queensland: Girraween National Park and Blackdown Tableland National Park; NSW: Blue Mountains National Park, Mount Alexandra Reserve and Arakwal National Park; Victoria: Wilsons Promontory National Park.
FEATURES
Looking like some sort of woodland creature from a mythical fairytale, the 8–15cm flower heads of this orchid mimic the face of a copper-bearded man. The flower is supported by a single stem 35–60cm long alongside a single leaf (or bract) at 15–35cm. The stem holds up to 15 individual flower heads, all attached by short equal stalks at equal distances. It’s similar in features to C. paludosis, the Red Beard Orchid (though slightly smaller), which is commonly named Father Christmas due to its red and green colouring.
FLOWERING SEASON
Spring → The Copper Beard Orchid is a perennial, flowering between October to December (earlier in southern areas). Its flowers only last one to four days.
