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Lyperanthus spp.
beak orchid
Overview
Lyperanthus is a small genus of terrestrial orchids in the family Orchidaceae, native to Australia, where the surviving species grow in heath, woodland, and forest. Plants arise each year from an underground tuber and produce a single leathery basal leaf, lance-shaped to oval, that persists through the flowering season. The flower stem rises 6 to 20 inches (15 to 50 cm) tall and carries a few to several flowers, brownish to reddish or cream with darker markings and a fringed, beak-like labellum that gives the plants the common name beak orchids. L. suaveolens is scented and flowers in spring, while L. serratus bears toothed lip margins. Like many Australian terrestrial orchids, the genus depends on symbiotic soil fungi for germination and on fire or disturbance to stimulate heavy flowering in some species. Plants are dormant underground through the dry season and resprout with autumn rains. The dried flower spikes turn black as they age, persisting after seed release.
Native Range
Native to Australia, growing in southwestern and southeastern regions in heathland, sclerophyll woodland, and open forest on well-drained sandy or gravelly soils. Some populations historically extended to New Zealand under earlier circumscriptions of the genus.Suggested Uses
Grown chiefly by native orchid enthusiasts and in conservation collections rather than general gardens, owing to its fungal dependence. In habitat it forms part of heath and woodland ground flora. It is of interest in studies of fire ecology and orchid-fungus symbiosis.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 1'8"
Width/Spread4" - 8"
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs mainly in spring, from September to November in the Southern Hemisphere, with timing varying by species and rainfall. In several species, flowering increases markedly in the season following summer fire. Plants then set seed and die back to the tuber by early summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
brown to reddish or cream with dark markingsFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 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