Mayfly Orchid

The Mayflies are showing at Lang Lang.

The Mayfly Orchid, Acianthus caudatus, is endemic to the south-east corner of Australia. It is found in South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and new South Wales. In Victoria it is mostly confined to the southern and eastern parts of the state. There are four acianthus species that grow in Victoria.

In this district they seem to flower from late August through to October.

Mayfly Orchids can have six or more flowers and can grow to 25cm tall. The flowers are a dark purple and often have a musty smell, thought to be an attractant for a pollinating fungus gnat.

The ground-hugging leaves are heart-shaped with a green upper surface and purple underneath. Mayfly Orchids are considered a bit unusual but sometime can be found in large colonies. They grow in a variety of moist, heathy woodland habitats.