Native Orchid Society of South Journal December 2017

PO Box 565 Unley SA 5061 Website: www.nossa.org.au Ph: 8294 8014

The Native Orchid Society of promotes the conservation of orchids through preservation of natural habitat and cultivation. Except with the documented official representation of the management President committee, no person may represent the Society on any matter. All native orchids Robert Lawrence are protected in the wild; their collection without written Government permit is Email: [email protected] illegal. Vice President Vacant Contents Secretary Title Author Page Vacant Bulletin Board 123 Email: [email protected] Treasurer President’s Report Robert Lawrence 124 Christine Robertson A Field of Pods Les Nesbitt 125 Email: [email protected] Book Review Bob Batrd 125 Editor The European Wasp (Reprint) David Hurst 126 Lorraine Badger Orchid Searches on private land Thelma Bridle 126 Email: [email protected] Kuitpo Forest Field Trip - Marg Paech 127 Committee 2017 Photo Competition Winner Rosalie Lawrence 129 Michael Clark Minutes of Special Meeting 130 Bob Bates Trophy Winners photographic 131 Craig Humfrey Sept Benched Orchid results 132 Rosalie Lawrence Voting Slips 132 Other Positions Membership Liaison Officer Life Members Robert Lawrence Mr R Hargreaves† Mr G Carne Mrs T Bridle Ph: 8294 8014 Mr H Goldsack† Mr R Bates Email:[email protected] Mr R Robjohns† Mr R Shooter Botanical Advisor Mr J Simmons† Mr W Dear Bob Bates Mr D Wells† Mrs C Houston Conservation Officer Mr L Nesbitt Mr D Hirst Thelma Bridle Ph: 8557 6553. Field Trips Coordinator Patron: Mr L. Nesbitt Michael Clark The Native Orchid Society of South Australia, while taking all due care, takes no [email protected] responsibility for loss or damage to any whether at shows, meetings or Librarian exhibits. Views or opinions expressed by authors of articles within this Journal do Pauline Meyers not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the management committee. We Registrar of Judges Les Nesbitt condone reprints of any article with full acknowledgment. Show Marshall Front cover – Celebrating 40 years - Lorraine Badger with the help of Adrian Ward, Vacant using the NOSSA logo. Trading Table Vacant On 22 March 1977 at an inaugural meeting NOSSA was formed and the committee Tuber Bank Coordinator called for members to “submit designs for consideration of a logo for letterheads, Jane Higgs badges, signs, car stickers, etc.” The winning entry, Chris Butler’s Caladenia Ph: 8558 6247 menziesii (Leptoceras menziesii) commonly known as Rabbit Orchid was announced Email: [email protected] in the June journal 1977 Vol 1 No 5. This distinctive and attractive design in colours Website Manager of red and white on a green background has changed very little and is still in use Rosalie Lawrence today. Email:[email protected]

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Bulletin Board The Native Orchid Society of South Australia meets every 4th Tuesday of the months February to November at St Matthew's Hall, Bridge Street, Kensington. Meeting starts at 8:00 p.m. Doors to the hall open from 7:15 pm to allow Members access to the Library, Trading Table. Date Event Dec 12th Tues Committee meeting at the Badger’s Dec 30th or Jan 6th 2018 Field Trip – location TBA - see below Feb 1st Thurs Reports for journal - Closing day – early birds much appreciated Feb 13th Tues Committee meeting at the Badger’s a chance to get signed nominations seconded Feb 24th Sat Field Trip – Mt George - see below Feb 27th Tues Next General Meeting - Guest Speaker: Jason Van Weenen March 6th Tues Last day for 2018 - signed & seconded nominations to Secretary March 13th Tues Committee meeting to process nominations

th TO NEW MEMBERS NEXT GENERAL MEETING TUES FEB 27 2018 Tania Kirk Guest Speaker: Jason Van Weenen, well-known SA Colin Schneemilch of BLAIR ATHOL ecologist. His topic is "Challenges as an ecologist". NOTE: there will be no meetings in December or FIELD TRIPS – subject to suitability January and no journal published in January th th  Dec 30 or Jan 6 location TBA –Dipodium FOR THE 2018 DIARY (Hyacinth) orchids th  March 27 NOSSA AGM – Guest speaker NOSSA  th Feb 24 2018 – Mt George - Corunastylis member David Toop from Winnipeg, Manitoba’s REMEMBER: book through Michael Clark our field Native Orchid Conservation "The Orchids of trip co-ordinator - [email protected] Manitoba". COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2018  APS Autumn Sale Next committee meeting Tuesday 12th December Saturday 21st April 10am to 5pm NOTE: Committee meetings now held on 2nd Tuesday Sunday 22nd April 10am to 4pm of each month. Onlookers welcome. ANNUAL REPORTS – FEBRUARY JOURNAL TUBERS – SEE ACCOMPANYING ORDER FORM A reminder to those who hold positions in NOSSA - A big thank you to those who promised tubers. our February journal is reserved for annual reports 1. Tubers to reach Jane by the 1st week in Jan. e.g. Librarian, Conservation Officer, Editor, Website 2. The closing date for orders is 4th Jan 2018 manager, President, Treasurer, Field trip co- 3. Tubers posted out the week starting 8th Jan ordinator. For further enquiries contact: Jane Higgs REPORTS FOR FEBRUARY JOURNAL 2018 Email: [email protected] Reports must reach the Editor no later than Thursday Ph: 08 8558 6247 PO Box 134, Myponga, SA 5202. 1st February , Thank you. Please note: Postage & handling now $11.00 Postage has increased substantially due to the fact Remember: This is the final date for reports BUT they that tubers now need to be sent express post because may be sent any time from now on. Why not help of the changes to Australia Post deliveries. the new editor by sending them in early allowing plenty of time for putting the journal together. Like SEED GROWING LABORATORY WORKING BEE most people the editor is a busy person. When: 10 am onwards, Saturday 16 December NOTE: Please send all articles directly to Where:143 Tinpot Rd, Strath (Strathablyn Boarding Kennels) [email protected] even if you have someone BBQ lunch: bring your own food including meat proof reading the article. The proof reader can send on Contact: Christine Robertson, 8536 3948 any changes to the editor. Urgent need of manpower.

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From the President Robert Lawrence

Outcome of Special General Meeting committee members. I would ask members to seriously consider being A special general meeting was held on nominated for one of these roles. 28 November 2017 to determine the Encouraging negotiations have been subscription rates for the coming year. underway and there have been a As a result, the annual rate for couple of expressions of interest receiving the printed copy of the which are likely to change Journal will be increased from $25 to membership of the management $30, but the rate for those receiving committee, which I think all of us will the electronic version by email will be pleased to see. remain at $20. Draft minutes of the meeting are included in the Journal Nominations, seconded by two with a view to these minutes being members, are due with the Secretary by formally confirmed at the AGM in 6 March 2017. However, it would help to have March 2018. Subscriptions are due nominations ready for the management committee from 1 January and invoices will be meeting on 13 February 2018 so that these can be distributed. minuted at the meeting and seconded if necessary. Nomination forms are included in this issue of the Nominations for the next NOSSA Management Journal. Committee End of year barbecue We look forward with anticipation to some changes to the management committee in 2018. Of course, The annual NOSSA barbecue was held at the Higgs all positions will be declared vacant at the AGM on property on Saturday 2 December 2017. A total of 27 March 2018, except for Craig Humfrey and 22 members attended and there was lots of friendly Rosalie Lawrence, who will continue into their chatter and plenty to eat. We were under cover for second year as ordinary committee members. most of the time with some damp periods outside, Nominations are required for President, Vice- but these didn’t stop us all enjoying the day. This President, Secretary, Treasurer and two ordinary was a great way to round off the end the year.

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A Field of Pods

Les Nesbitt

The 2017 season, despite a dry June, was close to a they prefer the soft grasses in neighbouring normal year as far as rainfall was concerned on my farmland in Spring. The native Lomandra grass grows Hills property, and the first for 3 years. There was rapidly in November so that by the third week of good rainfall from July to September with regular November the pods were lost amongst the grass. light falls in October to ensure good flowering of Depending on rainfall, the seed ripens and the pods Diuris and Thelymitra. In September I got busy with split open from late November to early December. I my gum leaf stalk by hand pollinating flowers of the harvest the seed I need and the rest blows away. three Diuris species (pardina, orientis and behrii) This process has been going on for more than 10 that grow in the slashed Lomandra grass lawn years resulting in hundreds of orchids where there surrounding the shadehouses. One or two pods were few before. Provided 2018 is another normal were set on each strong orchid plant. Insect year there should be hundreds of new seedlings by pollinators were also busy resulting in some pardina next Spring. Unfortunately consecutive good Springs plants bearing 4-5 pods. There are four self- do not occur often. Last year was too wet and the pollinating Thelymitra in the same area (albida, seed rotted in the pods hence there were few pauciflora, rubra and juncifolia). Without human seedlings this year. The two previous years 2014 & intervention every flower becomes a pod. In the 2015 were too dry with little rain in September and shadehouse there is one more self-pollinator in pots October. The Thelymitra plants withered before (bractiata). Three more Thelymitra grow in the area pods were formed. Watering can be controlled in that are not self-pollinating (antennifera, nuda and the shadehouse in dry years so seed can still be grandiflora). Two pods were set on each of the produced from plants in pots. Seedlings can be strongest of these orchids. By the end of October raised around mother plants as the self-pollinating there was a field of hundreds of pods standing above species are fungus dependent. Artificially the native grasses that had not grown much since propagating some plants in pots and some in the being slashed the previous December. For some ground is my way of hedging against wet years and reason the kangaroos did not eat the pods. Perhaps bushfires.

Book Review

Bob Bates

A delightful new book Native Orchids of Kangaroo images sensibly show the variation in most species. I Island a field guide by the Kangaroo Island Flora and like the way similar species are sometimes treated Fauna Club (Orchid Group) compiled by Bev Overton together hence images of both Caladenia carnea and was released October 2017. 154 pages packed with C. fuscata are on the same page. By no means a pictures of KI orchids, the people who study them comprehensive cover but the most common species and the local scenery. are certainly well treated. I was delighted to see some genera like Calochilus included treatments of Images are mostly by Dean Overton with Gillian Lock species such as C. campestris (which we would call and Ron Cox. There are numerous small chapters on herbaceus today) and C. paludosus as well as C. pollination, identification, habitat, where to look and robertsonii and its ‘imberbis’ form all of which I had safety in the bush; with charts on KI geomorphology collected on the island long ago but haven’t seen on and orchid flowering times. There is also a glossary, recent visits. Exciting to see that they are still on bibliography and index. Kangaroo Island. It was great that the team had even For each species there is a brief description with managed to find recently named orchids such as notes on conservation status and habitat. The Caladenia transitoria ssp. isolata and include images.

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THE EUROPEAN WASP

David Hirst Reprint from DECEMBER 2000 Vol. 24 No. 11 p 102. To most people the European wasp is little more even a horse that stood on a nest have been than a nuisance at BBQ's or at worst a possible reported being killed by the wasps. Obviously they threat if one accidentally disturbs a nest. However are capable of killing any native vertebrate that this introduced pest poses a threat to our wildlife on disturbs them. Near Heritage Landing on the Gordon an equivalent scale to the cat or the rabbit. Consider River, , passengers on cruise boats have the following from an unpublished report prepared sometimes refused to leave the safety of toilets on by P.J. Gullan for the ACT Flora and Fauna the boat because of the numbers of wasps. Several Committee and two other recently published reports popular camping sites in southern Tasmania are on the English wasp in the New Zealand uninhabitable due to the number of wasps. Entomologist and in the Australian Journal of The English wasp is now known to have established Entomology. in Tasmania. It is considered to prefer cooler areas Until recently only the German, or than the German wasp. In native NZ European wasp, Vespula germanica, beech forests the English wasp was considered a serious pest for nests density average 12 per Australia as it was able to overwinter, hectare but with up to 31 nests per though with reduced activity. The hectare at some sites. Nest size is English wasp, V. vulgaris was known up to 6 times greater and queen from Melbourne and Gippsland but production up to 23 times greater colonies rarely survived the winter. than in England. The biomass of the Colonies of German wasps in Australia have been wasps in insect capture by Malaise traps in NZ was reported up to 100 times the size of those found in shown to often exceed that of all other insects Europe. combined. Prey biomass of the wasps in some areas was similar to that of the entire insectivorous bird Wasps are attracted to sweet foods, soft drinks and fauna. meat but the bulk of their food is of live insects and spiders which are fed to the larvae. Adult wasps In Adelaide areas the spread of the wasps apparently subsist mainly on nectar and insect immediately altered the arachnid fauna with leaf honeydew. The latter is also an important source of curling spiders and harvestmen disappearing food for some insects. Surveys in Tasmania have altogether and many other species were greatly shown that in areas of high nest density near reduced in numbers. Very small spiders tend to Hobart, no other insects were found and the wasps escape the wasps as do larger spiders, however the were cannibalising each other. Wasps have been young of the larger species are taken and fewer reported preying on an endangered Tasmanian remain to reach maturity. butterfly and the butterfly larvae. Wasps also attack Obviously the European and English wasp pose an bees and steal honey and in the USA grape growers enormous threat to our wildlife including insect may lose half of their crop to the wasps. eating birds and insect pollinated plants. Wasps in forested areas often use rabbit or wombat Unfortunately the preferred climate of the wasps is burrows as nesting sites. Dogs, goats, ferrets and also that of most of our terrestrial orchids. Orchid Searches on Private Properties

Thelma Bridle - NOSSA conservation officer

It is important both for safety reasons and the reputation of NOSSA that members wishing to search private properties for native orchids first ascertain the property owner and contact them to seek permission. If possible let them know when you arrive and depart. When visiting a private property it is requested NOSSA members wear their name badge. Volume 41 Number 11 Page 126 Native Orchid Society of South Australia Journal December 2017

Kuitpo Forest Field Trip Report Sat 4th November Marg Paech

Saturday 4th November began as the front view of the a fine day with a very cold Petalochilus, but the back and easterly wind. Five members well- side views, along with the leaf rugged up - met at Kuitpo to aid in identification. Microtis Information Headquarters and arenaria were found in flower then set out in two vehicles. All along with plenty of the locations were in the Pine Thelymitra, but being so cold forests in the Kuitpo area. they were all closed.

At the first stop on Harvey Road The next stop was Knott Hill ( (location 1), we walked in from location 2) where we saw lots the road in among the pines. of large leaved rosettes with We’d barely set foot in the pines long stems (up to 20 cm tall) when a find was signalled. It was a Gastrodes sesamoides - Well camouflaged and capsules but no flowers Photo Marg Paech group of long slender brown were found - Pterostylis foliata stalks, some which looked like shepherd’s crooks. we were told. The first of many Disa bracteata, the They blended well with the leaf-litter and dead weed orchid (which were abundant) were found twigs. I realised at the first find that I had walked by here. some already, dismissing them as just some dead The next stop yielded a lovely lot of very tall (up to weed!! I’d never seen Cinnamon Bells or Potato 60cm) Thelymitra which were not open. One variety Orchids – Gastrodia sesamoides. was identified as T. truncata. This was confirmed by “Not only should we take careful note of the checking the hood at the top of the . At this composition of the flowers of an orchid, but note stop we found the first of many Diuris orientis which the leaf characteristics and we should also smell had all finished. them,” we were told as we lined up to take photos of the Gastrodia flowers. No-one told Robert that Our lunch stop was in a spot very rich in orchids. By Gastrodia is completely leafless - we were all too this time the day was warming up too. Many A. tentaculata were flowering, some good examples of busy trying to get the spicy, cinnamon scent of the flowers! I thought: what a wonderful subject to paint Diuris brevifolia and Rosalie found a T. antennifera in with their soft ginger and brown hues. There were flower. Lunch conversation centred around orchid names and the problems encountered with differing many flowers found – some just 10 cm high and obviously immature, others 40-50 cm high with fully views, along with citizen science opportunities. What open flowers. Groups of a dozen were not hard to else would orchid hunters talk about?!! find. A surprise find was patches of very fresh A brief stop and some beautiful finished Pyrorchis Corysanthes leaves. Acianthus pusillus leaves nigricans with very plump capsules and black (unusually standing up high above the litter) and remains were photographed. Also a finished T. finished flowers, Llikewise leaves and capsules of benthamiana was located. There was a lovely array Nemacianthus caudatus were also found. One lonely of wild flowers here as at many of the other stops. Petalochilus vulgaris was flowering at the side of the track, and a Pterostylis nutans flower was also Our final location at first looked like a ‘fizzer’ with found. Robert coached us to photograph not only the GPS way-point yielding no results! It was the

Volume 41 Number 11 Page 127 Native Orchid Society of South Australia Journal December 2017 ducks (Caleana major) we were hoping to see. With parted company, and despite the suggestion that my careful combing of the area however, large numbers car might be found without its wheels, all was well were finally found. They were on very long stems, when Robert and Rosalie returned me to Kuitpo several colonies having up to 50 plants. A few headquarters! One surprising aspect to the day was Paracaleana minor (little ducks) were found but the number of walkers and horse-riders found well mostly in separate colonies. We did find one, into the forest. however, among the Caleana. A 10cm Dipodium The day was deemed a resounding success in terms (hyacinth orchid) shoot was spotted here - and then of orchids found (at least 25 different species of a few more around a stringy bark. native orchids), knowledge shared, enjoyment and Being near the end of the day, a quick run up the friendships strengthened. Thank you to the track yielded, with the help of the GPS, two organisers and participants. Orthoceras strictum buds. The two vehicles then

CODE: B in flower: B in bud: FF finished flowers: C capsules; L leaves or immature

Location 1 Locations 2 Acianthus pusillus FF Acianthus pusillus FF Corysanthes sp. L Arachnorchis tentaculata F Gastrodia sesamoides F, B Caleana major B, F Microtis arenaria F Calochilus robertsonii F, C Nemacianthus caudatu FF Corysanthes sp. L Petalochilus vulgaris F Dipodium sp. L Pterostylis nutans F, FF Diuris brevifolia F Thelymitra bracteata F Diuris orientis FF Gastrodia sesamoides F, B Microtis arenaria F Nemacianthus caudatu FF Orthoceras strictum B Paracaleana minor F. B Pterostylis nutans F, FF Pterostylis foliate C Pyrorchis nigricans C Thelymitra antennifera FF Thelymitra benthamiana FF Thelymitra bracteata F Thelymitra brevifolia F Thelymitra inflata C Thelymitra pallidifructus F Thelymitra X truncata F Thelymitra sp. #

^ identified on the basis of a rounded capsule –need to check # not identified, but distinct from the others listed here. Photos: Marg Paech Above Gastrodia sesamoides and right Petalochilus vulgaris

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2017 Photographic Competition Winner

Rosalie Lawrence

Jane Higgs on your most beautiful picture.

For the November’s competition, the monthly winning photographs were printed, and members voted for their favourite photograph of the year. The 2017 winner was Jane Higg’s Corysanthes diemenica (synonym Corybas diemenicus) which won in July. In the July article, I wrote about the features of the Corybas. I have labelled the image with the different features of the flower. Well done Jane, and thank you to everyone who entered pictures throughout the year. You have helped us to enjoy our native orchids. We look forward to seeing next year’s entries.

Rules of entry: How to enter: The subject matter must have something to do Email [email protected] – jpg as large as with Australian orchids. Any format is acceptable you are able to send it including Photo shopped images, artwork, etc Post: PO Box 565, Unley, 5061 Bring in to the meeting

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NATIVE ORCHID SOCIETY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC. PO Box 565 Unley S.A. 5061 Telephone: (08) 8294 8014

Draft Minutes of the Special General Meeting held on Tuesday 28 November 2017 St Matthews Hall, Bridge St, Kensington 1. Open and Welcome Gordon Ninnes opened the meeting at 7:53 pm and welcomed 26 members and two visitors. Robert Lawrence took notes for the minutes. There were six apologies received. 2. Explanation of the reason for this meeting Gordon Nines explained that the special meeting had been called to review the cost of members receiving the hard copy of the NOSSA Journal. 3. Determination of proxy votes There were no requests received for the appointment of proxies for the meeting. 4. Summary of the current costing by the Treasurer The Treasurer, Christine Robertson, provided a summary of the annual costs and for printing and mailing the Journal to 60 members (about a third of the membership) as follows, based on costs over the last 12 months:  $1,100 for printing (reduced recently from $1,500 by changing printers)  $660 for postage  $60 for courier delivery  $40 for purchasing envelopes  $40 for printing envelopes  $2,300 total This equates to a cost of $32 per subscription (reduced from $38 by changing printers) She also provided a summary subscription costs and rates used by two other societies known to her. 5. Discussion and moving of motions There was an inclusive and broad range of discussion by the members present. This included:  a range of options for reducing costs,  the possibility of funding shortfalls from subscriptions by using accumulated funds,  likely increases in postage,  members receiving electronic version subsidising the cost of the hard copy to retain older members  likely loss of members due to an increase of annual fees. Graham Zerbe moved that the annual cost of receiving the hard copy of the Journal be increased from $25 to $30 with the cost of the electronic version remaining the same at $20 per year. The was seconded by Jan Adams. The motion was carried with one vote against.

6. Close of meeting Gordon thanked members for their participation and closed the meeting at 8:22 pm.

A silent night, A star above, A blessed Gift of Hope and Peace,

May the peace and blessings of Christmas be yours; And may the coming year be filled with happiness.

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November 2017 Spring Show Trophy Awards Roy Hargraves Trophy - Champion Terrestrial Species Kay Nesbitt Trophy for Champion Terrestrial Hybrid

Les Nesbitt for Cyrtostylis reniformis Jane Higgs for Pterostylis Dusky Duke The Wells Trophy for Champion Epiphytic species NOSSA Trophy for Grand Champion of Show

Les Nesbitt for Sarcochilus falcatus Les Nesbitt for Cyrtostylis reniformis Noel Oliver Trophy for Champion Sarc AOC Trophy Champion Epiphytic Hybrid

John Gay John Gay for Dendrobium gracillimum

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November 2017 Benched Orchid Judging Open Division Epiphyte species Open Division Terrestrial species 1st Sarco harmannii Les Nesbitt 1st Diuris drummondii Les Nesbitt 2nd Sarco dilatus Kris Kopicki 2nd Caladenia tentaculata Les Nesbitt 3rd Sarco hirticalcar Kris Kopicki 3rd Diuris brevifolia Les Nesbitt Epiphyte hybrid Terrestrial hybrids 1st Cymbidium Karanda Les Nesbitt 1st Pterostylis Hoodwink Les Nesbitt

Popular Vote Plant of Night Epiphyte species Cymbidium Karanda Sarco hartmannii tied with Les Nesbitt Cymbidum canaliculatum

Terrestrial species Caladenia tentaculata tied with Diuris drummondii

Terrestrial hybrid Pterostylis hoodwink

Date received by the Secretary……………………………………………………………………….. I consentto thenomination:,………………………………………………………………………….. Seconded by:…………………………………………………………………………………………………… Proposed by:…………………………………………………………………………………………………... thefor position of:…………… We, the undersigned, nominate:………………………………………………………………..…..  Date received by the Secretary… I consentto thenomination:,………………………………………………………………………….. Seconded by: Proposed by:…………………………………………………………………………………………………... thefor position of:………………………………………………………………………………………….. We, the undersigned, nominate:………………………………………………………………..

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Native Orchid Society of South Australia Inc. Australia South of Society Orchid Native Inc. Australia South of Society Orchid Native

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PO 565Box Unley S.A. 5061 PO 565Box Unley S.A. 5061

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