Calochilus campestris
copper beard orchid
Eastern Australia (Queensland to Tasmania)
Overview
Calochilus campestris is a terrestrial orchid growing from an underground tuber, producing a single erect flowering stem 8-20 inches (20-50 cm) tall. A solitary channeled leaf 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) long emerges at the base, triangular in cross-section, and often withers by flowering time. Each stem carries up to fifteen flowers, though fewer is typical. The flowers are 0.6-0.8 inch (15-20 mm) across, with greenish to bronze sepals and petals and a labellum covered in dense metallic copper to reddish-purple hairs that form the beard. The column has two glands at its base. Flowering occurs in spring, from August to November in the native range. After flowering, the plant dies back to the tuber and remains dormant through summer and autumn. The species grows in heathland, open forest, and grassy woodland on sandy and loamy soils that are moist in winter and dry in summer. It depends on soil fungi for establishment and rarely survives transplanting, so it is seldom cultivated.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, occurring in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania. It grows in coastal heath, open woodland, and grassland on seasonally moist sandy soils.Suggested Uses
Grown in specialist native-orchid and conservation collections rather than general garden beds. It has a place in habitat restoration of heath and grassy woodland within its native range. The bearded flowers are studied in terrestrial-orchid pollination research.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 1'8"
Width/Spread4" - 8"
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in spring, from August to November in the native range and from April to June in Northern Hemisphere cultivation. Each spike opens its flowers in succession over two to four weeks. Flowers often self-pollinate if insects do not visit, after which the spike sets seed and the plant dies back.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Greenish-bronze with coppery-red beardFoliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Calochilus campestris grows from a tuber that needs a moist, cool winter growing season and a warm, dry summer dormancy. It requires sandy or loamy soil with sharp drainage and a pH of 5.0-6.5, in full sun to light shade. Establishment depends on symbiotic soil fungi, which is why the species rarely persists when dug and moved. Water is needed only during the winter growth and flowering period; the dormant tuber rots in wet summer soil. The orchid is not suited to standard garden cultivation and grows mainly in specialist terrestrial-orchid collections.Pruning
No pruning is required, as the plant dies back naturally to its tuber after flowering. Spent flower spikes can be left in place to let seed ripen and disperse. Clearing surrounding competing vegetation maintains the open conditions the orchid needs.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons