PLANT sesamoides Potato Orchid

AUS SA AMLR Endemism Life History Habitat Saprophytic, favouring wet sclerophyll forests, dry - R E - Perennial sclerophyll forests, dry sclerophyll woodlands and riparian areas.2 Family Usually occurs in shady, well forested places in high rainfall areas (>800 mm per year), chiefly near decaying tree stumps, especially along creeks where large clumps of may appear in good seasons.10 Also recorded in pine plantations, coastal sand-hills and heath-land.3

Within the AMLR, recorded in association with Leptospermum sp. shrubland with emergent Viminaria juncea or Acacia retinodes and sedge understorey, also under Acacia melanoxylon in damp sand, with bracken. 8,9

Within the AMLR the preferred broad vegetation groups are Heathy Open Forest, Riparian and Photo: © Tony Robinson Shrubland.6

Conservation Significance Within the AMLR the species’ degree of habitat The AMLR distribution is disjunct, isolated from other specialisation is classified as ‘Moderate-Low’.6 extant occurrences within SA. Within the AMLR the species’ relative area of occupancy is classified as Biology and Ecology ‘Very Restricted’. Relative to all AMLR extant species, Flowers from October to early December.3 Flowering is the species' taxonomic uniqueness is classified as promoted by summer fires.10 Self-pollinating.11 Also 6 ‘High’. pollinated by native bees.4

Description Solitary or forming small groups in humus rich soil; often Leaves absent, stem slender to moderately robust, in deep leaf litter along creeks.4 sometimes to 1 m high, pale to dark brown, arising from an underground . Flowers few to Cover or abundance likely to be reduced by numerous, brown and white, to 2 cm long, tubular. inappropriately timed fires or may die out through fire Flowers have a sweet spicy fragrance resembling exclusion.7 3 cinnamon. Aboriginal Significance 3 Synonym: Epiblema sesamoides. Post-1983 records indicate the AMLR distribution occurs in Ngarrindjeri and Peramangk Nations.6 Distribution and Population Also occurs in QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS and NZ. In SA, Recorded as a traditional food source for Aboriginal 11 also occurs in MU, KI and SE regions. Considered people in NSW. Tubers (similar to kidney potatoes) were 4 uncommon in SA. roasted (Flood 1980).1

Post-1983 AMLR filtered records scattered; from Mount Crawford, Springton, around Verdun, Mount Bold, Hindmarsh Valley, north-west of Waitpinga, and Deep Creek CP.6

Pre-1983 AMLR filtered records indicate a similar distribution with additional records around Kuitpo and Mount Compass, Myponga and Inman Valley.6

Further information: Biodiversity Conservation Unit, Adelaide Region Phone: (61 8) 8336 0901 Fax: (61 8) 8336 0999 http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/  Department for Environment and Heritage FIS 90346 May 2008 Prepared as part of the Regional Recovery Plan for Threatened Species and Ecological Communities of Adelaide and the Mount Lofty Ranges, South 2009 - 2014

Threats R.Br. Available from http://www.flora.sa.gov.au (accessed Threats include inappropriate water management, September 2007). livestock grazing, weed competition, nutrient enrichment and climate change.5,9 5 Department for Environment and Heritage. (2007). Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Regional Recovery Pilot Expert Flora Workshop, Unpublished Notes. Participants: Bickerton, D., Within the AMLR, approximately half of known Croft, T., Jury, T., Lang, P., Prescott, A., Quarmby, J. and Smith, distribution occurs within 2 km of confirmed or K., Adelaide. suspected Phytophthora infestations.6 6 Department for Environment and Heritage (2007). Adelaide Additional current direct threats have been identified and Mount Lofty Ranges Regional Recovery Pilot Project and rated for this species. Refer to the main plan Database. Unpublished data extracted and edited from accompanying these profiles. BDBSA, SA Herbarium (July 2007) and other sources.

7 Department for Environment and Heritage (2007). Regional Distribution Combined Fire Response Database. Unpublished data, extracted September 2007.

8 Department for Environment and Heritage (2007). State Herbarium of Database. Unpublished data, extracted October 2007.

9 Department for Environment and Heritage (2007). Wetlands Inventory Database of South Australia. Unpublished data, extracted October 2007.

10 Jones, D. and Jones, B. (2000). A Field Guide to the Native Orchids of Southern Australia. Bloomings Books, .

11 Jones, D. L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. New Holland Publishers, Australia.

Map based on filtered post-1983 records.6 Note, this map does not necessarily represent the actual species’ distribution within the AMLR.

References Note: In some cases original reference sources are not included in this list, however they can be obtained from the reference from which the information has been sourced (the reference cited in superscript).

1 Australian National Botanic Gardens (2007). Aboriginal Use - NSW Southern Tablelands. Available from http://www.anbg.gov.au/apu/index.html (accessed August 2007).

2 Australian Native Orchid Society (2002). Australian Native Orchid Society Website: . Available from http://www.anos.org.au (accessed September 2007).

3 Bates, R. J., ed. (2007). South Australian Native Orchids. Electronic version, August 2007. Native Orchid Society of South Australia.

4 Department for Environment and Heritage Electronic Flora of South Australia species Fact Sheet: Gastrodia sesamoides

Further information: Biodiversity Conservation Unit, Adelaide Region Phone: (61 8) 8336 0901 Fax: (61 8) 8336 0999 http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/  Department for Environment and Heritage FIS 90346 May 2008 Prepared as part of the Regional Recovery Plan for Threatened Species and Ecological Communities of Adelaide and the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia 2009 - 2014