JOURNAL of the NATIVE ORCHID SOCIETY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC.

PRINT POST APPROVED VOLUME 21 NO. 9 PP 543662 / 00018 OCTOBER 1997

NATIVE ORCHID SOCIETY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC.

PO Box 565, UNLEY SA 5061

The Native Orchid Society of South Australia promotes the conservation of native orchids through cultivation of native orchids, through preservation of naturally-occurring orchid and natural habitat.

Except with the documented official representation from the Management Committee of the native orchid society of South Australia, no person is authorised to represent the society on any matter.

All native orchids are protected plants in the wild. Their collection without written Government permit is illegal.

PATRON: Mr T.R.N. Lothian

PRESIDENT: SECRETARY:

Mr George Nieuwenhoven Cathy Houston Telephone: 8264 5825 Telephone: 8356 7356

VICE-PRESIDENT: TREASURER:

Mr Roy Hargreaves Mrs Iris Freeman

COMMITTEE: LIFE MEMBERS:

Mr J. Peace Mr R. Hargreaves Mr D. Hirst Mr R. T. Robjohns Mrs T. Bridle Mr L. Nesbitt Mr D. Pettifor Mr D. Wells Mr G Carne

EDITORS: REGISTRAR OF JUDGES: Bob Bates & Kerry Jolly Mr L. Nesbitt 8261 1550 38 Portmarnock Street Fairview Park 5126 FIELD TRIP COORDINATOR Telephone: 8251 2443 Mr G Carne 8332 7730

JOURNAL COST: $1 PER ISSUE

The Native Orchid Society of South Australia Inc. while taking all care, take no responsibility for the loss, destruction or damage to any plants whether at benchings, shows, exhibits or on the sales table or for any losses attributed to the use of any material published in this Journal or of action taken on advice or views expressed by any member or invited speaker at any meeting or exhibition. Views and Opinions expressed by authors of articles within this Journal do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Management Committee.

COPYRIGHT: The NOSSA Management Committee condones the reprint of any article within this Journal, provided acknowledgement is given to the source and author.

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: $14 FAMILY OR SINGLE. DUE IN MARCH EACH YEAR.

81

NATIVE ORCHID SOCIETY

OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC

OCTOBER 1997 Vol. 21. No. 9 JOURNAL

OCTOBER MEETING

Tuesday, October 23rd at 8.00 pm: at St Matthews Hall, Bridge Street, Kensington. Various members will talk and give demonstrations of repotting and other culture requirements.

Doors to the hall will be open at 7.15 pm for those wishing to borrow books from the library or take in items for the trading table.

PAGE CONTENTS AUTHOR

81 Diary Dates 82 On The Bench 83 Spring Show Report Les Nesbitt 84 Caladenia rigida Part four Doug Bickerton 86 From Your Library Geoff Edwards 87 Yorke Peninsula Excursion Thelma Bridle 89 South-east Excursion David Pettifor

DIARY DATES

Oct 26 Conservation Group Belair Nov 16 Gastrodia Special Carey Gulley Nov 30 Christmas Barbecue Hazelwood Park Jan 3 Dipodium roseum Special Aldgate Valley Feb 5 Spiranthes special Nangkita March 5 Genoplesium rufum Special April 19 Genoplesium lineare Special Halbury

COMMITTEE MEETING

To be held at 7.30 pm Wednesday 5th NOVEMBER at the home of Cathy Houston 33 Margaret street, Henley Beach

82 NEXT FIELD TRIP

Sunday 16 November: especially to see Gastrodia sesamoides (Cinnamon Bells) near Adelaide. Meet at Carey Gully store at 10 am. Bring picnic lunch as we may go somewhere special after lunch.

Next Conservation Group outing:

Sunday 26 October. Meet at Park office at 10 am. Survey and orchid hunting. All members welcome.

ON THE BENCH

Terrestrials: Caladenia carnea, Caladenia latifolia, Caladenia leptochila, Caladenia patersonii, Caladenia Harlequin, corymbosa, Diuris laxiflora, x D. sulphurea, Glossodia major, Leptoceras menziesii, Phaius tancarvilliae, Pterostylis baptistii, Pterostylis bicolor, Pterostylis concinna (Tas. form), Pterostylis pedunculata, Pterostylis plumosa, Pterostylis Dusky Duke, Pyrorchis nigricans, Prasophyllum concinnum, Thelymitra antennifera, Thelymitra x macmillanii, Thelymitra Goldfmger, Thelymitra Spring Delight.

Epiphytes: Dendrobium aemulum, Dendrobium capitus-york, Dendrobium kingianum, Dendrobium speciosum, Dendrobium Ellen, Dendrobium kingianum, Dendrobium x suffusum , D. pedunculatum, D. Rutherford Surprise, D speciosum, Dockrillia teretifolia, D. Zeppelin, Sarcochilus falcatus.

Les Nesbitt discussed the parentage of the many Thelymitra hybrids. His Thelymitra Goldfingers was made from a white flowered Thelymitra nuda and a vegetatively reproducing Thelymitra antennifera. Les has also made his cross Thelymitra Spring Delight using Thelymitra rubra with both blue and white forms of Thelymitra nuda. Les also mentioned that he had an unusual shade-house pest recently: a neighbour spray painting the fence had also sprayed some of Les' orchids.

Marjorie Chance discussed the several line bred Dendrobium kingianum on display which had brilliant red, purple or white flowers.

JUDGING

Terrestrial species 1st Pterostylis aff longifolia grown by Thelma O'Neill.. 2nd Diuris conspicillata grown by Jan Burford

Terrestrial hybrid 1st Caladenia Fairy Floss grown by Thelma O'Neill 2nd Caladenia stellata crossed ? grown at Black Hill

Epiphyte species 1st Dockrillia teretifolia grown by Geoff Burford 2nd Dendrobium pedunculatum grown by Kevin Western

Epiphyte hybrid 1st Dendrobium Zeppelin grown by Gerald Hawkins 2nd Dendrobium Graham Hewitt grown by Gerald Hawkins

POPULAR VOTE

Best Terrestrial: Leptoceras menziesii grown by M. Tiggeman

Best Epiphyte: Dendrobium aemulum grown by Don & Bubs Wells

83 Of The Night Dockrillia teretifolia

AUGUST MEETING - SPEAKER

Past president and foundation member Reg Shooter spoke on Dendrobium culture. After the glorious display of Dendrobiums at the Show Reg felt like he was preaching to the converted. Reg gave the following hints; 1 Don't change your culture radically if you are having reasonable success. 2 Repot whenever the media has broken down or gets soggy or the plant overflows the pot. 3 Don't use charcoal in the mix it becomes toxic especially using Adelaide water. 4 Avoid using tap water; Murray river water contains too many undesirable chemicals. 5 Don't allow water to sit around on benches or in new growths. 6 Especially keep pests away from new growths; slugs, snails, aphids and caterpillars really love them. 7 Plant keikis or aerial growths, back-bulbs etc into sphagnum. 8 Put Dockrillia onto mounts not in pots.

If you wish to grow a large variety of Dendrobes you will need a range of environments eg warm glass-house, cool glass-house and shade-house. Hang some plants high if they need extra light or air movement and put others under benches or near fish-ponds, carpets of Baby-tears etc if they require more humid conditions.

Reg illustrated his talk with slides of his own benching, orchids and habitats.

1997 SPRING SHOW REPORT Les Nesbitt (Registrar).

An excellent show was staged in St Peters Town Hall on 20-21st September, despite the absence of two regular contributors. The season was about one week late which meant there were few Dendrobium x delicatum and even less Sarcochilus. Dendrobium speciosum dominated most displays which meant the hall was filled with perfume. There were more terrestrials than we had seen for a long time including pots full of Thelymitra species and man made hybrids and these were fully open in hot boxes. Six species were given cultural awards. Grand champion was a beautiful hot-cold cross. Judging took almost 3 hours to complete and there were three judging teams. Cultural awards were done on the Sunday. Congratulations to all exhibitors. Well done!

CHAMPIONS

Grand Champion Of the Show Dendrobium Anne's Rainbow Surprise (ANOS medal) grown by George Nieuwenhoven.

Champion Terrestrial Species Leptoceras menziesii (The Roy Hargreaves Prize) grown by Nesbitts Orchids.

Champion Terrestrial Hybrid Thelymitra Melon Glow (The Kay Nesbitt Trophy) grown by Nesbitts Orchids

Champion Epiphytic Species Dendrobium gracilicaule (The Wells Trophy) grown by Noel Oliver

Champion Epiphytic Hybrid Dendrobium Anne's Rainbow Surprise

Champion Floral Art Exhibit Kate Jennings

84 The Bill Murdoch Trophy Leptoceras menziesii (Best Australian Species)

The Ira Butler Trophy Dendrobium Anne's Rainbow Surprise (Best Australian Hybrid)

DISPLAYS A card is presented for the best display in each section:

Section 1 - Floor Display Steve and Betty Meszaros Section 2 -Table top Display Nesbitts Orchids

NOSSA SPRING SHOW Cultural certificates Cultural certificates are awarded to a grower for outstanding cultural achievement in growing and flowering any native orchid. This year six such awards were given

Award 25 to I.R. McDonald for Dendrobium discolor

This plant was over 2m tall growing in bark in a 300mm plastic pot. It had 16 canes with clean leaves and 8 racemes each bearing 25-28 antelope type yellow-brown flowers.

Award 26 Don & Bubs Wells Dendrobium aemulum

A massive plant 600mm across with hundreds of white feathery flowers. The plant was growing on coconut fibre sandwiched between two sheets of plastic mesh.

Award 27 David Hurst Chiloglottis trapeziformis

Forty flowers of an odd greenish hue were held above very clean, green leaves to fill a 175mm plastic pot.

Award 28 Noel Oliver Dendrobium gracilicaule

Another massive plant 1m across with over 100 canes forming a hemispherical plant smothered with yellow flowers.

Award 29 Noel Oliver Dendrobium striolatum

This beautifully grown and flowered plant formed a sphere 500mm across. It was growing in a clay saucer hidden under the dense canopy of leaves.

Award 30 Malcolm Tiggerman Diuris corymbosa

A 225mm squat plastic pot full of healthy green leaves. There were 14 flowering plants carrying 21 flowers and 1 bud. The flowers were a soft wallflower brown.

More Show report next month-

85 Caladenia rigida: Pollination Studies by Doug Bickerton

Part 4: Herbivory

It is thought that the population sizes of many native orchids, including Caladenia rigida, have diminished primarily because of loss of habitat. The Mount Lofty Ranges (the only region where C. rigida is found) has seen much clearing of land for agriculture since European settlement, and in 1993 only 10 populations of this orchid remained; of these only three contained more than 100 specimens. Those habitats remaining are fragmented, thus facilitating invasion by rabbits which, it is claimed, feed on the orchid.

During the course of my study, it was noted that a considerable portion of the sample population was lost to herbivory (see Table 4). In the control group of 129, a total of 35 were eaten. Of these, 32 were most likely attacked by a vertebrate. Bates (1995), in the annual recovery plan report, claims that rabbits were responsible for much of the herbivory of this orchid, but that S.A. Water were attempting to control their numbers. No rabbits or evidence thereof were seen in the course of this study, and this may be partly due to the recent release of the rabbit calici virus, which has apparently decimated the population statewide.

In contrast, kangaroos were often seen, and their numbers may be directly related to the proximity of the grasslands where they feed. At Site 2 there is a large area of grassland less than 100 metres away, and twice I disturbed roos that were resting in the immediate vicinity of orchid patches. However, only twice were kangaroos seen near Site 1, perhaps because grassland patches near this site were smaller and further away. Table 5 shows that 70% of herbivory before flower collapse was at Site 2, where kangaroo numbers were greater.

Before Flower Collapse After Flower Collapse Total Cause N H S ALL N H S ALL N H S ALL Eaten 28 13 7 48 4 10 6 20 32 23 13 68 Damaged 4 4 3 11 2 2 4 8 6 6 7 19 Ovary* - - - - 3 4 3 10 3 4 3 10

86

Before Flower Collapse After Flower Collapse Total Cause N H S ALL N H S ALL N H S ALL Total 32 17 10 59 16 13 38 41 33 23 97 Sample No. 129 100 00 329 80 67 244 129 100 100 329

Table 4 - The figures indicate the number of flowers in each treatment which suffered herbivory or other damage. Other damage was due to storm, or trampling by animals. * "Ovary" indicates that the ripening fruit was cut open and unripe seed was eaten, probably by weevils or beetles.

Treatment Site 1 Site 2 N 10 18 H 0 6 S 1 2 Total 11 26

Table 5 - The number of flowers lost to herbivory (before flower collapse) at each site.

The other three cases of herbivory involved attacks on the fruit as it set, probably by beetles or weevils. In these instances a cut was made in the side of the capsule and unripe seeds were devoured. Loss of fruit in this way was relatively minor; in fact, of the total sample population 137 flowers began to set fruit, and only 10 of these were attacked in this way. On one occasion a beetle was observed climbing the scape of a C. rigida that was setting fruit. It remained stationary for about ten minutes, and was not seen attacking the fruit, but it was captured and later identified as Ellopidia pedestris.

Conclusion - Areas of habitat suitable for the orchid are being cleared to make way for grazing land, hobby farms and general agriculture. Therefore, in places where C. rigida can still be found, areas of grassland attractive to herbivores will increasingly be found nearby. A total of 32% of flowers were lost due to herbivory or damage, and this is a matter of concern for the orchid. We must realise that the germination rate of seeds is likely to be low given that orchid seeds are provided with virtually no seed coat protection, contain no endosperm, and instead rely on a mycorrhizal fungus to be present before they can germinate (Bates & Weber, 1990). Thus, if one- third of all flowers are eaten before pollination is achieved, the recruitment rate (no. of new plants per year) must be greatly diminished. In conclusion, loss of habitat and herbivory appear to be major factors causing the orchid's demise.

Acknowledgments - This postgraduate Diploma research project in the Department of Environmental Science and Management at the Roseworthy campus of the University of Adelaide was supervised by Professor Hugh Possingham and funded by a Wildlife Conservation Fund grant.

I would like to thank Professor Hugh Possingham, Dr. Sue Carthew, Michelle Lorimer (all of Adelaide Uni.), and Bob Bates (NOSSA) for the wealth of advice they have given me during the course of this study. Pat and Peter Clark (Friends of Millbrook Reservoir), Brian Murray and staff of S.A. Water (Millbrook), and Rosemary Taplin (botanist) were very helpful when I was planning and setting up. Dr. Tony Slater of Victoria, Roy Hargreaves (NOSSA), Bill Barker (S.A. Herbarium), and the staff at the Adelaide Museum willingly assisted me as well. But most importantly the encouragement and support my wife Ally has given me has been invaluable. (Excerpts from the author's post-Grad Dip. research paper, completed Feb. 1997)

87 REFERENCE LIST

Bates, R. (1995). Recovery plan for white spider orchid Caladenia rigida R. Rogers. Department for the Environment & Natural Resources, South Australia Bates, R.J. & Weber, J.Z. (1990). "Orchids of South Australia". Government Printer, South Australia 110-111.

UPPER STURT PRIMARY SCHOOL - 24/8/97 by Thelma Bridle

After completing our regular surveying of orchid populations in Belair National Park we drove to Long Gully to see the many populations of Pterostylis which flower this time of the year, particularly P. curta, P. pedunculata and P. cucullatus.

Members of the Conservation Group then re-convened at Upper Sturt Primary School in the afternoon. We had already visited on 2 occasions - 10/96 and 6/97, but in the interests of completing a list of all orchids at the site there were a couple of species to ascertain. Also we wish to determine changes which have occurred to populations over the last 15 years, since the first orchid survey by NOSSA. We were able to add Cyrtostylis reniformis and Corybas dilatatus to the list and also Caladenia reticulata bringing the total of species to 25. One further visit will be arranged after Christmas to see if Dipodium roseum still grows on the site. The many Epacris impressa in white, pink and red made this small piece of natural bushland very attractive. Other shrubs and many orchids previously found were in bud. A complete list of orchids currently growing on the school grounds will be published early next year

FROM YOUR LIBRARY by Geoff Edwards, Librarian

Three interesting books this month, each different in the subjects they cover. As Pauline and I will be enjoying some holidays in the Grampians and maybe along the Murray River at the time of the October meeting , I will not have an article for the November Journal.

With the anniversary of Cleland Reserve just passing, the first book is appropriate: 'The Nature of Cleland' by Anne Hardy was a special publication by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in 1985. The book is divided into three sections; 'History', 'Physical Features', and 'Biology' with an appendix giving a checklist of Vertebrate and Fauna. The interesting descriptions are supported by colour photographs of old black and white paintings, and line drawings. During the final stages of the preparation of this book, one of the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires burnt out all but the Native Wildlife Zone of Cleland (the public tourism area). The book , therefore records the plants and animals of Cleland prior to those fires.

'Ground Orchids of Australia' by Maynard R. Pocock was first published in 1972. Like my own personal copy, the library copy is signed by the author. The book covers the 'A' to 'Z' of our ground orchids, being presented in an alphabetical format. Each is described, giving the common name, along with an explanation of the botanical terms used. The 150 plus colour plates are taken from the author's own collection of photographs (he having received a number of Medals for service to photography).

88 'Orchids at Kew', edited by Joyce Stewart is a beautiful book for any orchid enthusiast (not just Aussie natives). The book has 17 contributors covering the Living Orchid Collection in the Orchid Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The book is divided into 4 sections, 'Introduction', 'The Living Collection', 'Orchid , the 'Herbarium and Library' and 'Research and Conservation'. The history of Kew is also covered with Australia discussed in a specific section of seven pages ( being divided into Temperate Terrestrials, Tropical Terrestrials and Epiphytes ).The book has a lovely array of colour photographs and reproductions of colour line drawings, etc. (NOTE : this book will not be available until the November meeting ..... why? ...... one of the perks of the job, I haven't finished reading it yet !). Pleasant Reading !

FIELD TRIP REPORT: YORKE PENINSULA - AUGUST 17 By Thelma Bridle

The winter of 1997 was a strange season for orchids. After autumn rains promised a good number of orchids, with a slightly advanced flowering time, the extreme lack of winter rain caused some plants to abort flowers, some to dry off and others to delay growth until rain finally fell in early August. The season is now reversed and the flowering of orchids is late. Hopefully if we have further rain the flowers will have a chance to catch up.

A group of 7 members met at Port Wakefield on Sunday 17th August to repeat a trip made last year to the Yorke Peninsular, in the hope of finding a similar range of orchids. David Pettifor arranged the excursion a couple of weeks earlier than last year on the advice that the season was early. As you can probably guess from the opening remarks, the season having now swung round, we actually saw far fewer flowers than were recorded for 1996. Orchid enthusiasts are renowned for making the best of any situation and at least the weather was kind. After a forecast of heavy showers and hail we had a pleasant sunny and enjoyable winter's day.

The drive was very pleasant and there were many raptors to observe hunting along the roadside, especially numerous were the black kites around Port Clinton. Our first stop was at roadside scrub just off the Minlaton road out of Ardrossan (site 1). This was a pretty area with several spring shrubs in flower, and the day was warm enough for a number of butterflies to be feeding on the flowers. Pterostylis mutica was in flower with stems no more than 5cm. high, and there were a number of plants still in bud. Pterostylis erythroconcha, the large attractive mallee greenhood with reddish-brown markings, were in all stages of flowering. These colonies were growing in leaf-litter beneath the mallee eucalypts. Cyrtostylis robusta were well in flower here as were Pterostylis longifolia again colonised under eucalypts, but P. sanguinea in similar locations were finished flowering. Both these greenhoods were the shorter

89 mallee forms. Genoplesium nigricans had obviously had a good flowering season, some of the stems were very sturdy, but they had had a problem setting seed. Caladenias were a bit thin on the ground here. A few leaves were found, one clump of Caladenia latifolia in bud and a single probably C. stricta with a small leaf, red stem and a flower bud.

A little further along the Minlaton road (site 2) had proved a good location for various Caladenia sp. in 1996, so after lunch we set out with hopes high. We found many clumps of Microtis leaves under shrubs and large colonies of Cyrtostylis robusta in flower. At first we were unable to identify the 2.5cm. long broad green leaves numerous in the sandy soil, but on coming across some better marked specimens and some with seedpods we realised they were Eriochilus cucullatus. There were a number of Caladenia leaves and buds, but only 2 plants of C. bicalliata were found, one with a flower bud. The narrow hairy leaves of this species have red stripes on the back. The Genoplesiums in this area were G. rufum and some Prasophyllum leaves were found. A number of Thelymitra sp. were found many with broad leaves and flower stalks already about 10cm. high.

A short stop at roadside scrub at the Port Julia turnoff (site 3) proved rather fruitless, so we travelled the short distance to Mulbura Park, a National Trust property 11 km. off the Port Vincent road. Mulbura Park (site 4) is a small mallee area dominated by Allocasuarina, many of which were parasitised by the mistletoe Lysiana exocarpi. Many birds were in the park including bell birds, spiny-cheeked honeyeaters, wood swallows and white-browed babblers. Again orchid flowers were limited, mainly leaves and buds being recorded. Cyrtostylis robusta were in flower - we could be sure these were C. robusta as C. reniformis does not grow on the Yorke Peninsular (see Weber and Bates, Orchids of South Australia). Eriochilus cucullatus were again in large numbers. Cyanicula deformis flowers were scattered but fairly numerous and Caladenia stricta and C. conferta were in bud. Also found were some large colonies of Austral adder's tongues (Ophioglossum lusitanicum) with leaves which appear similar to orchid leaves and the 'tongues' in bud.

This trip will probably be repeated in 1998 in the hope of finding greater numbers of orchids in flower.

Orchids seen at sites 1,2,3 and 4 : Acianthus pusillus (1) 1,3 Cyrtostylis robusta (f) 1,2,3,4 Caladenia bicalliata (b) 2 Caladenia /at/folio' (b) 1 C. stricta (b) 1,4 C. conferta (b) 4 Caladenia sp. (1)1,2 Cyanicula deformis (f) 2,4 Eriochilus cucullatus (1,s) 2,4 Prasophyllum sp. (1)2 Genoplesium rufum (flowers over) 2 G. nigricans (flowers over) 1 Pterostylis mutica (f) 1,2 Pterostylis erythroconcha (f) 1 P. longifolia (f) 1,2 P. sanguinea (f) 1,2 Microtis sp. (1)1,2,3,4 Thelymitra sp. (b) 2,4 Thelymitra sp. (1) 1

1 - roadside scrub 2 - roadside scrub 3 - Pt. Julia corner 4 - Mulbura Park l -leaves f- flowers b- bud

90 FIELD TRIP REPORT: SOUTH-EAST SEPT. 26-28 By David Pettifor

Day 1 saw me on a property near Mount Boothby CP. My hosts, the owners, took me to their favourite orchid location. It was a warm sunny day and the sun-orchids were spectacular; iridescent green Thelymitra epipactoides (the area is famous for these), T. antennifera, T. nuda, T. rubra and T. pauciflora.

Caladenias were abundant including C. cardiochila in groups of 50- 60, and in colours from green to blood-red; there were carpets of C. carnea (C. fuscata), and lots of C. colorata. We even found a few Prasophyllum odoratum and a single Pterostylis biseta. After lunch we visited the Boothby Quarry, plenty of Caladenia tensa here, with lots of Corybas leaves sporting seed capsules on long pedicels. There was one Caladenia bicalliata, the flower just finished. The nearby Boothby Rocks harboured some beautiful Caladenia latifolia, both the pink and white flowered forms; carpets of Caladenia fuscata and Glossodia everywhere. There were lots of plants of Pterostylis aciculiformis, in bud only. Later at Tolmer Rocks there were more C. latifolia, carpets of T. antennifera and a few Pterostylis mallee nana.

Day 2 Camped at Mount Monster, after overnight rain the day was fine and clambering amid the rocks revealed more C. latifolia and C. fuscata but also orchids not seen the first day; lots of Diuris pardina and a few D. palustris and Thelymitra luteocilium. On the south side of the rocks there were carpets of Leptoceras leaves and after diligent searching, one perfect flower. In the afternoon it was on to Christmas Rocks and flowers of Diuris pardina, Pterostylis plumosa, P. nana, and P. sanguinea. Carpets of Pyrorchis and Leporella leaves and one recognisable (still!) flower. After more orchids at stops near Desert Camp and Padthaway Cons. Park there was still time for a last stop at Bangham. Many Pterostylis pedunculata, the ubiquitous C. fuscata and Glossodia and a double flowered C. aff. patersonii about 40cm tall.

Day 3 After an overnight stay at Edenhope I met up with the Geelong mob led by Everett and Margaret Foster. Eight cars in convoy, 5 Vic, 1 NSW and 2 SA ( Kath Alcock and Les Mc Hugh). We travelled 20 km toward Harrold and turned left at Haylocks Rd to see thousands of Pyrorchis in flower after a big fire last summer. Also here were Caladenia carnea var. ornata and C. prolata as well as a large white Caladenia venusta. There were plenty of Glossodia and Pterostylis pedunculata.

Soon we on the Penola road, down a side track and there was the biggest red spider orchid I've ever seen, Caladenia formosa. (The name formosa means beautiful and this one was.) After quite a time here for the photographers to enjoy themselves we farewelled most while Kath, Hugh and I headed off to look for more spider orchids and found instead huge colonies of Pterostylis nutans. Kath then took us to see one of South Australia's rarest orchids, the ant orchid Chiloglottis trapeziformis. (Hugh and Kath make sure that nothing happens to endanger this single colony further.)

Day 4 Sunday morning saw us 13 km down the Penola road amid hundreds of Caladenia colorata and a stand of Pterostylis smaragdina a member of the P. longifolia complex which flowers in spring. A final highlight for me was a visit to Les and Winsome's shade-house and of course to see the new baby. Of course there was still time to make a few more roadside orchid stops on the way back to Adelaide and the NOSSA Committee meeting.