Overview
Dipodium variegatum is a leafless terrestrial orchid that lives in partnership with soil fungi and forest tree roots, sending up only a flowering spike for part of the year. The fleshy unbranched spike rises 30-60 cm (12-24 in) tall from underground roots, without any leaves, and is pale with darker mottling. It bears 10-40 flowers, each 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2 in) across, pale pink to whitish and heavily spotted and blotched with deep red to purple, the labellum marked with red and bearing a tuft of hairs. Because it has no leaves and no green tissue, it draws its nutrients through fungi linked to the roots of surrounding trees rather than from photosynthesis. The spike appears in summer, flowers over several weeks, then dies back, the plant spending the rest of the year underground. It grows in coastal and near-coastal dry sclerophyll forest and woodland in eastern Australia, usually among eucalypts. Its dependence on a specific fungus and host trees means it cannot be dug up and transplanted or grown in gardens, and it appears only where that underground partnership exists.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, mainly coastal and near-coastal New South Wales and Queensland, in dry sclerophyll forest and woodland among eucalypts, where its fungal partners occur.Suggested Uses
Encountered as a wild orchid in natural forest rather than a garden plant; it cannot be transplanted or cultivated. It serves in native habitat as an indicator of intact forest fungal networks and is protected where it grows.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 2'
Width/Spread2" - 6"
Bloom Information
The spotted pink flower spike emerges and blooms in summer, mainly December to February, lasting several weeks. Each spike opens many flowers from the base upward. Outside this flowering period the plant has no visible parts above ground.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Pale pink, spotted deep red to purpleFoliage Description
LeaflessGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 1-4 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