Glossodia minor
small waxlip orchid
Overview
Glossodia minor is a small terrestrial orchid of southeastern Australia, growing 2–6 inches (5–15 cm) tall from an underground tuber. Each plant produces a single basal leaf 1–2.5 inches (2.5–6 cm) long, lance-shaped to oval, dark green and covered in short hairs, lying close to the ground. A single flower, occasionally two, is held on a slender hairy stalk above the leaf. The flower spans 0.6–1 inch (1.5–2.5 cm) across, with mauve to violet sepals and petals and a raised white-and-purple central structure over the column. The plant is dormant through summer and autumn, persisting as the tuber, and re-emerges with autumn and winter rains. It is smaller in all parts than Glossodia major, with flowers roughly half the diameter. Glossodia minor grows in sandy or gravelly soils low in nutrients, in eucalypt woodland, heathland, and coastal scrub, often among leaf litter and low groundcovers. Like most terrestrial orchids it depends on symbiotic soil fungi to germinate and feed, which makes it difficult to transplant or grow outside its native habitat. Populations occur from southern Queensland through New South Wales and Victoria to Tasmania and South Australia.
Native Range
Native to southeastern Australia, from southern Queensland through New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia to Tasmania. It occurs in temperate eucalypt woodland, heath, and coastal scrub.Suggested Uses
Glossodia minor is grown almost entirely in its natural habitat and in collections maintained by terrestrial-orchid growers rather than in general gardens. In bushland and conservation plantings it forms part of the ground flora of eucalypt woodland and heath.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 6"
Width/Spread1" - 2"
Bloom Information
Flowers appear in spring, mainly September to November, with timing earlier in warmer northern populations. Each tuber usually produces a single flower per season on a hairy stalk. Flowering coincides with the cooler, wetter months when the leaf is active, and the plant dies back to the tuber by early summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
mauve to violetFoliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-6 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