Corybas aconitiflorus
spurred helmet-orchid
Overview
Corybas aconitiflorus is a very small terrestrial orchid of eastern Australia, standing only 0.4–1.6 inches (1–4 cm) above the ground. Each plant produces a single round to heart-shaped leaf 0.4–1.2 inches (1–3 cm) wide that lies flat on the soil surface, green above and often purple-tinted beneath. A single hooded flower sits close against the leaf, roughly 0.4–0.6 inch (10–15 mm) long, with an arching dorsal sepal that forms a helmet over the cupped, dark-marked labellum, giving the flower a shape compared to that of an aconite. The colour ranges from translucent green to reddish-purple. The plant grows from a small underground tuber and is dormant through the warmer months. Corybas aconitiflorus grows in moist, shaded leaf litter in eucalypt forest, heath, and the margins of swamps and creeks, often in colonies. Like other terrestrial orchids it depends on soil fungi and is very difficult to grow outside its natural habitat. It ranges from Queensland through New South Wales and Victoria to Tasmania.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales and Victoria to Tasmania. It grows in moist, shaded eucalypt forest, heath, and the margins of swamps and creeks.Suggested Uses
Corybas aconitiflorus is grown almost entirely in its natural habitat and in collections maintained by terrestrial-orchid growers rather than in general gardens. In bushland it forms part of the moist forest-floor flora.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1" - 2"
Width/Spread1" - 1"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
green to reddish-purpleFoliage Description
green, purple beneathGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 2 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