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Leporella spp.
hare orchid
Overview
Leporella spp. is a genus in the orchid family (Orchidaceae) containing a single species, Leporella fimbriata, the hare orchid, native to southern Australia. It is a small terrestrial orchid that grows from an underground tuber and produces a single flat, ground-hugging leaf, often reddish beneath, that lies against the soil. The flowering stem rises 10-25 cm (4-10 in) and carries one to three flowers in tones of green, pink, and reddish-brown. Each flower has two erect, narrow lateral sepals likened to a hare ears and a fringed labellum, features that give the plant its common name. Flowering occurs in autumn, earlier than most Australian terrestrial orchids. The flowers are pollinated by winged male ants, which are drawn to the labellum and attempt to mate with it, transferring pollen in the process. The orchid grows in sandy or gravelly soils in heath, mallee, and open woodland, and depends on symbiotic soil fungi for germination and nutrition. Like many terrestrial orchids it is challenging to cultivate, as it requires both its fungal partner and an undisturbed seasonal cycle of growth and dormancy.
Native Range
Leporella fimbriata is native to southern Australia, occurring across parts of Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales. It grows in sandy heath, mallee, and open woodland.Suggested Uses
Grown almost entirely by orchid specialists and in conservation collections rather than ordinary gardens. In the wild it is part of heath and woodland ground flora, and it has little role in general landscaping.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 10"
Width/Spread2" - 4"
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in autumn, mainly April to June, earlier than most Australian terrestrial orchids. Each stem carries one to three flowers that open over a few weeks. The flat leaf often appears alongside or just after the flowers.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
green, pink, and reddish-brownFoliage Description
green, reddish beneathGrowing 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
This orchid is rarely cultivated and is challenging to grow outside its native habitat. It requires sandy, sharply drained soil, a symbiotic root fungus, and a seasonal cycle of winter growth followed by summer dormancy as a tuber. Watering follows the natural pattern, with moisture in the cool months and dry conditions in summer. Disturbance of the soil or loss of the fungal partner causes decline. It is grown mainly by specialist terrestrial-orchid growers rather than in general gardens.Pruning
No pruning is applicable. The single leaf and flowering stem die back naturally as the plant enters summer dormancy. Spent growth is left in place to return nutrients to the tuber.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons