Cyanicula sericea
silky blue orchid
Overview
Cyanicula sericea is a small deciduous terrestrial orchid in the family Orchidaceae, growing from an underground tuberoid to a flowering height of 4-10 inches (10-25 cm). Each plant produces a single narrow, erect basal leaf 1.6-3.1 inch (4-8 cm) long, covered in soft hairs. The wiry stem carries one to three blue flowers, each 0.8-1.4 inch (2-3.5 cm) across, with spreading sepals and petals that are blue above and clothed in soft silky hairs on the reverse, the feature behind the common name. A patterned central labellum bears rows of small calli. The plant emerges with autumn and winter rains, flowers in spring, then dies back to the dormant tuberoid through the dry summer. Cyanicula sericea depends on specific soil fungi for germination and growth, which makes it slow and difficult to establish away from its natural habitat. It grows in seasonally moist sandy soils and declines where summer watering keeps the tuberoid wet during dormancy. Colonies are often stimulated to flower more heavily in the season after fire.
Native Range
Cyanicula sericea is native to south-western Western Australia, from around Geraldton south to the south coast. It grows in seasonally moist sandy and gravelly soils in woodland, heath, and shrubland.Suggested Uses
Grown by orchid specialists and native plant enthusiasts in pots or in restored bushland with the right soil fungi. It suits seasonally moist, sandy ground in conservation and display collections rather than general garden beds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 10"
Width/Spread2" - 4"
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in spring, mainly September to October in its native range. The blue, silky-haired flowers open on sunny days and are pollinated by native bees. After flowering the plant sets seed and retreats to its dormant tuberoid for the dry summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-9 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
Cyanicula sericea is a habitat-specific terrestrial orchid that depends on symbiotic soil fungi, so it is rarely grown in ordinary garden conditions. In its native ground it needs a sunny, open position on free-draining sandy soil that is moist through autumn and winter and dry in summer. Summer watering during dormancy rots the tuberoid and is the most frequent cause of loss. It tolerates frost while dormant and during cool-season growth. Where grown by specialists, it is kept in deep pots of lean, sandy mix with the correct fungal partner and a dry summer rest. Disturbance of established colonies in the wild sets them back, as the tuberoids do not transplant readily.Pruning
No pruning is applicable to this terrestrial orchid. Spent flower stems can be left to set and shed seed, then allowed to wither as the plant enters summer dormancy. Old foliage is not cut, as the plant withdraws nutrients before dying back.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons