Endangered Orchid flowering at the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens

Phaius australis Swamp orchid is putting on a showy performance in the Tropical Shade Garden of the Botanic Gardens. It only flowers for 3- 4 weeks of the year, so don't miss out on seeing it during these School Holidays.

This spectacular clumping ground orchid that has long 'pleated' dark green leaves that arise from partly buried egg-shaped pseudo-bulbs.

It can be up to 2m tall when in flower with up to 12 showy orchid flowers borne on the upper part of the cane-like stems. The flowers that can be up to 100mm in diameter are probably the largest of the Australian orchids. The large, showy flowers, with up to 20 per stem, have four petals which are white on the outside and brown with white or yellow veins on the inside. The central tongue of the flower is pink and yellow with lobes slightly curved inwards. Flowering in September.

It was once widespread in eastern Australia, growing in swamps with grasses and sedges in the open or in open forests; however it is now Endangered in the wild.

Contact: Maya Harrison

Phone: 49527300

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