OF the STIRLING RANGE Nestled Between The
OF THE STIRLING RANGE Nestled between the
wetter south-west
andthe drier inland
region s, and rising
some I 000 metres above
sea level, the Stirling Range
NationalPark provides refuge
for an astonishing123 orchid
species.This article is based on
a chapter from a new book,
Mountains of Mystery: A
NaturalHistory of the Stirling
RangeNational Park, to be publishedby CALMnext year.
BYANDREW BROWN he Stirling Range National Park contains about 38 per cent of all known WesternAustralian orchids and includes23 of the27 genera that grow in the south-westofthe State.To find such a large number of orchids in such a relatively small area is remarkableby anystandards, but is not surprisingwhen you considerthe diversetopography of the region. This varies from salt lake marginsand deep,moist valleyfloors to rocky mountain tops.The wide rangeof habitatsscattered throughout thes€ areas include low-lying swamps,seasonal creeks,forests, woodlands, and the dense low shrublandsthat clothe much of the Preoiouspage: left: landscape.These vastly dift-erentareas I lAboae I Risingsome I 000 metresabove sea I King spiderorchid lCaladenia display a magnificent array of orchid I level,the Stirling Rangeprovides a pectinala).An inhabitantof jaryah- species,many of which are now rare refugefor an astonishing123 orchid malli woodlandsthe statelyking spider elsewhere.Many species reach the limits species, is often found standingwell above Photo- Jiri Lochman of their distribution in the park and suYroundingvegetation. Inset: Photo- AndrewBrown severalspecies contain forms that are Dwarf pink fairy lCaladenia reptans found nowhereelse. subsp./eplarJ). A winter flowering lAbooe: Blue china orchid (Cganicula At least five Western Australian species,the dwarfpink fairy forms I attractiveclumps in rocky areasof the I gemmatal- Rarelyflowering unless orchids have been named from park. the bush hasbeen burnt, the blue china collectionsmade in or near the Stirling Photo- GerhardSauerack€r orchid is commonin malleeheathland Range National Park. The narrow areasof the park. Photo- AndrewBrown greenhood (Pterostg lis angusta) and the tall snail orchid (P. dilatatol were both large number of ovulesare fertilisedat described from plants coll€cted by the same time, producing literally botanistAlex Georgewest ofMount Trio thousandsoftiny seedsthatare dispersed and below Bluff Knoll in July, 1969. widelybythe wind. Theadvantage ofthis The first speciesnamed from the strategyis obvious,when it is considered park was found in 1869, when Baron that most other plants requir€ multiple FerdinandvonMueller collected the zebra pollination events to achievea similar orchid (Caladenia caimsianal north of amount of fertilisation. the Stirling Range.The pinkbeak orchid Allorchidsrely on soilfungito infect (Bumettia forrestii) was discoveredjust the germinating seedand providea food a few yearslater by John Forrest, after source on which the young plant can whom it was named, and in 1903 grow. This associationcontinues the rare sandplain sun orchid dwarf hammer (D. micrantha), the throughout the plant'slife andwithout it lThelgmitra psammophila) was also crinkle-leavedbunny (Eriochilus orchids would be unableto survive. foundnearthe Stirling Range.Ironically, dilototus ssp.undulalus) and the swamp Most orchids also have a modified the last two are far more common bunny lE. helonomos). third petal,known asthe labellumor lip, elsewhereand probablywere neververy that looks quite unlike the other two. abundantin the Range. WHATIS AN ORCHID? The labellum of most speciesprovides a More recently, a number of other Orchidshave several unique features landingplatform forvisiting insects,and new orchid specieshave been found in that distinguishthem ftom other plants. in somecases actually resembles a female the park, several of which may be For example, orchids have combined insect. describedfrom collectionsmade there. their pollen-bearingparts (anthers) with Whilesome species found in the park, They are: the big clubbed spider (C. their pollen-receivingparts (stigma),to such as the common snail orchid arrecta), the Jerramungup spider (C. form a single structure known as a (PterostAlisnana), multiply freely by llaccida ssp.pulchra), Heberle'sspider column. producingtwo or more new tuberseach (C. heberleana\,the painted spider (C. Orchids also amassall their pollen year,mostare likethewhitespiderorchid polychromal, the Christmasspider (C. into one or two large bundles, which (Caladmia long icauda subsp.eminens), serotina) , the late spider (C. ultimal , the becomeattached to the bodyofavisiting which rarely replacesits old tuber more commonspider (C, aarians ssp. Dariansl, insect. When these bundles are than once and must thereforerely on the late hamm€r (Drakaeaconfluens), successfullytransferred to the receptive seeddispersal to multiply. the slender hammer (D. gracilisl, the stigmaofanother flower an exceptionally This has led orchids to rely heavily
38 r.r"rsco"r on successfulcross-pollination by insects flower. [n good seasonsyou will be I Cowsfiporchid lCaladeniallaua (thoughin rarecases they self-pollinate). rewardedwith masseddisplays. I subsp.//aua). The brightyellow The resultingrelationship between Theorchids ofthe StirlingRange are I flowersof thecowslip orchid are a commonsight during inseclsand plants makes for a fascinaling remarkably diverse. They range from the spring sruoy, months. the dainty dwarf spider (Caladenn Photo- AndrewRrown The lengths to u,hich orchids go to bfgceana), which grows only srx attractpollinators are as variedas trre centimetreshigh and producesflowers speciesthemselves. Some have flowers Justtu'o centimetresacross, to the tallest that resemblefungi, some smell like of all WesternAustralian orchids. The (Bumettia nigricansl appear only as rotten meat, others havestructures like king leekorchid (Prasophgllum regium) Ieavesin unburnt bushland,but flower pollen the ladenanthers of lilies and growsto wellovertwometres and has up en masse atter fire. The rabbit orchid somesimply mimic other flowers.The to 100 or more flowers. Floral shape (Leptocerasmenziesii) producesdense mastersofdeception are, however, those variesenormously and some specres, mats of leavesin moist areasaiong orchids that fool male waspsor flying suchas the greenhoods (Pterostglisspp.l creeklinesand swamps.These come up ants by imitating the femalesof the and hammer orchids (Drakaea spp.), year after year without ever producing species.A number of the park's orchids havebizarreflowers that hardlyresemble more than one or two flowers.However, 'Wicked havethese attributes. (Seealso flowersat all, if the areais burnt, almostevery plant Deceptions',LANDSCOPE Winter 1991 Some speciesare quite commorr, bursts into bloom. Most leek orchids rssu€.) such as the yellow floweredcowslip lPrasophyllum spp.), bunny orchids orchid (Caladenia/laza), grows (Eriochilus ORCHIDSIN THE PARK which spp.) and beak orchids in most cf the park's habitatsand often \Bumettia spp.)are stimulated by fire. Dueto the Mediterraneanclimate of bloomsin largenumbers. Other specres Two namedhybrids grow in the park. cool,wet winters and hot, dry summers, aremuch rarerorare restrictedto specific The prisoner orchid (Caladenio x thepark's orchids growand Iargely flower habitats.The rare dwarf spider, for erickoniae) isa crossbetween the zebra duringautumn, winterandspring.While example,is known from only one small orchid and th€ paintedspider orchid, a few speciescontinue into summer, areaat the northern end of the park. and the shy spider orchid (C. x most die back to dormant tubers, Other speciesappear only after hot triangularis) is a cross between the resprouting again when autumn rains summer fires have blackenedthe cowslip orchid and the white spider moisten the soil.The besttime to look landscape.It is believedthat ethylene orchid.A carefulobserver may find them for orchids is from August to October, gas produced by the fire promores growingamongst their more common whenup to 90 speciescan be found in fl owering.For instance,red beak orchids parents.
t,tNotrnrr:39 of the Stirling WANDOOWOODLANDS SHEOAKTHICKETS which dominate much Range National Park' These areas are to look for The sheoakthickets found along One of the best Places rich in common speciessuch as the red woodlandsat seasonalcreeklines also havetheir own orchids is in the wandoo beak orchid, which appearsyear after park,just south array of orchids. The dragon orchid the northern end ofthe year as large oval-shapedleaves, often Over50 species (Drakonorchb barbarossa) often forms oftheBluff Knoll turnoff. calledelephants'ears. Should its habitat habitat and, as it is large colonies in these areas and is can be found in this be burnt, it will produceup to eight red are reasonably particularly abundant along Papacolla fairly open,the majority and white stripedflowers on eachplant. spot. The best Creek. Its flowers,which appearfrom accessibleand easy to A specieswhich doesnot requirefire is from August to early late September to October, have an time to searchis the magnificent Queen of Sheba i unusuallip thatr€semblesthesize, shape Octoberwhen most are in full bloom. (Thelgmitra uariegala).It is rarer than is instantlY and texture of a flightlessfemale wasp. The zebra orchid many other heathland orchids and l: red-stripedlip fu with the hammerorchids, male wasps ; recognisedby its upswept appearsto be confinedto moist pockets petalsand are initially attrcctedto the plant by an and distinctive stem-clasping in sandyor rocky soils. Like other sun the coloudul painted irresistiblechemical lure that mimics a sepals.Clumps of orchidsit remainsclosed on cool,cloudy its red, white and sexualattractant given off by the female spider orchid, with days, but if the weather is right' its wispy spider-like wasp.Whentheyclaspthe lipandattempt yellow flowers and beautiful golden-yellow,red and purple maybe found scattered to fly offwith it, the flower'shinged stem petalsand sepals, flowers display their full glory. Sun In good seasons, throws them againstthecolumn. Pollen in open situations. orchids differ ftom all other Australian white spidersflower in is thus removed or depositedduring thousandsof orchidsin lackinga lip or labellum.Like The unusual and their frustratedlift-off . favoured areas. manyoth€r flowering plants,their third of the blood The lazy spider orchid lCaladenia attractive dark red flowers petal is the sameas the other two. (C- are far less multiclauiq\ alsoinhabits these thickets' spider orchid filifera\ One of the first orchids to appearis require a careful It is quite rare in the park and is only common and often the leafless orchid (Praecunnthos found. A patient found along a few rocky creeklinesnear searchbefore they are aph7llusl, which flowers in late March discovertherare dwarf the north-eastern end' However, its observermayalso andApril. fu its namesuggests, it hasno growing in small colonies unusual red and yellow stripedflowers, spiderorchid leaves,just a flowering stem growlng with theirhumbuglike lip,arewellworth under low shrubs. straight out of the soil. Each plant has looking for. Other orchidsof the sheoak Other species of the wandoo flowerwhich emits a fragile pale pink one creamy-yellow woodlandsinclude the bee orchid (Dran3 thickets include the (Coladenia hirta\' Iatiflora), which is often seengrowrng sugar candy orchid clown orchid (C ro?l) and the white in smallclumps in dampsites; the hairy the I Below left: (Eriochilus dilatatus)' greenhood (PterostYlis ciliatal, an bunny orchid I Dancingorchid lcaladeniadiscoideal' orchidsto flower speciesis unusualspecieswith fouror fivenodding which is oneofthe first I Th" co.mon nameof this derivedfrom its delicatelybalanced lip flowersand a flat rosetteof leaves;and in the park. vibrat€sin the slightestbr€eze. leek $hich the tiny, but common, laughing MALLEEHEATHLANDS Photo-Jiri Inchman orchid lPrasophAllum ringens\, which are manY orchids to be is often overlookeddue to its diminutive There in the mallee heathlands flowersand rather drab colours. discovered
Photo- AndrewBrown
40 uu^coce delightful perfume.Other speciesof the mallee heathlands include the purple enamel orchid (Elgthronthera brunonis) , the blue china orchid, (Cganicula gemmata), the common donkeyorchid (Diuris corymbosa)and the dark banded greenhood (Pterostglis sanguinea). SWAMPLANDS The winter-wet swamplandsare also very rich in orchids.Some 48 speciesare known from these areas.Many fire- stimulated species,such as the pale- yellow flowered nanny goat orchid (D. laeurb)and the purple and white swanrp sun orchid lThelgmitra cucullata), app€arin burnt swampsduring late spring,while earlier in the year,usually aroundSeptember, bee orchidsare often quite abundant.Some ofthe places best vegetation.The numerous tiny flowers Helmetorchid lCorgbasrecuruusl. toseeswamp-lovingorchids I in the Range found on leek orchidsare the reverseof I Foundin cool,damp places the tiny are in the Moingup Springsarea, along mostother orchids - theirlipor labellum I helmetorchid undergoes an amazing transformationonce pushing Stirling RangeDrive and in creeklines is the uppermost rather than the fertilised, its flowersskyward for up to 30 alongSalt RiverRoad. The mostcommon lowermost segment, Growing to two group centimetreson an elongatingstem. found in and around winter-wet metreshigh, the king leek orchid is Photo:Andrew Rrown swamps are the leek orchids easily the tallest orchid found in the lPrasophg I lum spp.).Following summer park, Other species,however, are mucn fires,as manyas nine speciescan be seen shorter;the daintyredandwhite fl owered ROCKYAREAS scatteredamongst the regenerating swampleek orchid is smaller but more The rocky mountain tops and slopes than makesup for its sizein colour and havetheir own suite oforchids. During sheernumbers. Often thousands ofplants Decemberand January,the unusual tight: lBelow canbe found in areasofsuitable habitat. flowersofthe sfipperorchid (Cryptostglis Purplepansy orchid lDrans I Some other common inhabitantsof I longifolia\. Found predominantlyin ouata) can be seenscattered along the swampy jarrah-marriwoodlands it is one of areas are th€ cinnamon sun pathsto the topsofBluffKnollandMounr WesternAustralia's donkey orchids. orchi,d, (Thelgmitra benthamiana), Toolbrunup.It is theonly orchid specres Photo- Andrew Bro$n the blue sun orchid (7. canaliculata) of south-westernAustraliathat hasleaves and the pink bunny orchid (Eriochilus year Lazyspider orchid lCalsdenia all round, as all others die back to I scaber). lmulticlquiot. The bizare flowersof the dormant tubers during the summer I lazyspider orchid are designed to attract malewasps which attemptto matewith thehumbugJike lip. Photo- Andrew Bro\ rn
ut'tosrnrt: 41 months.In Januarythe drabflowers of andis producedon the endof a hinged well-shadeddampish sites, along with thepotatoorchid(Gastrodia lacista\ may stemwhichallowsitto movefreely up or severalother greenhood species. Other alsobe foundin a fewrocky crevices. It down.Thus they use a similar strategy to orchidsof the bankia andjarrah-marri hasno needfor eithergreen colouration thedragon orchid to attractpollinators. woodlandsinclude the shirt orchid or true leaves,as it is ableto surviveon Flowering from Septemberto early (Thelgmitra campanulata), the king generally nutrientsit receivesfrom its association November,they are found spiderorchid (Caladmia pectinata\, the in small groups.These can with soil funli. scattered unusualant-pollinated hare orchid be seen in clearingsbetween low Much earlier in the year the tiny (Leporella fimbriata\ and the puryle shrubs,but they are never overly helmetorchid (Cory bas recuraus) isseen donkeyorchid (Diuris longifolia). common. in cool, damp areasalong seasonal Sometimes growing with the CONCLUSION creeklines.Once fertilised, this species hammer orchid is the appropriately Thisbrief insight into the orchidsof undergoesan amazingtransformation. namedflying duck orchid (Poracaleana the Stirling Rangecovers a fractionof The tiny, ground-huggingflowers are nigito).Thelip otthisspecies isirritable what the park reallyholds. Just six pushedskp.\,ards for up to 30 or more andsprings over when touched so as to centimetresby their elongatingstem, momentarilytrap any pollinating insect. habitatshave been examinedand, as resultingin the seedbeing dispersed Also found in theseareas is the bird manyothers contain their own suites of park moreeffectively by the wind. Then, a few or chid(P t eros t g lisbarrala). Resembling orchids,future biologists, managers monthslater, the minuteflowers of the a greenbeaked bird with its wingsin a and visitorswill undoubtedlydiscover dwarf greenhood(Ptefostu lis platgpus) foldedposition, this orchidoccurs in manyorchids not listedhere. El appearamong boulders and low shrubs RelowLeft: in rockyslopes adjacent to Talyuberup I I Whitespider orchid (Coladmia picnic site. ln Octoberand November I longicaudal.During the spYing the butterfly orchid (Caladenialobatol monthsliterally thousands of $hite can be foundin the low, densejarrah- spiderorchids can be seen in the park. marri woodlandsassociated with the wandoowoodland areas of the Photo - Andrew Bro$n lowerand moresheltered slopes. I Below cmtre: WOODLANDS I Queenof Sheba orehid lThelgmitra I aaiegatal.In cool,cloudy weather the One of Western Australia's most flowersof the Queenof Shebaremain bizarre ovchidscan be locatedin sandy closed,but on bright, sunnydays th€y areas in banksia and jarrah-marri opento displaytheir full glory of golden- woodlandsat the Gold-holeson Chester yellow,red and purple, Photo- AndrewBrown PassRoad and in similarly sandyareas on the Stirling RangeScenic Drive. The I Relou right: hammerorchids have fl owers so modifi ed I Ruddyhood (Pterostglis platypus\. Foundonly on a few rockyslopes of that it ishardto imaginethat that iswhat I the Range,it requiresa keeneye to spot they really are. The lip of theseflowers the tiny flowers of the ruddyhood. resemblesa flightlessfemale flower wasp Photo- AndrewBrown
42 ^rr""or" THELIERARY DEPARTMENTOFCONSERVATFI| LANDSCoIry'"..& LANDMANAGEMENT VOLUI\4EEIGHT NO, 1 SPRINGISSUE 1992
RATSOF THE TREE TOPS GOBDONFRIEND, CATH KEMPER AND ANNE KERLE ,, 10
CUNNINGHAM:A MAN OF SCIENCE SUZANNECURRY
MATILDABAY RESERVE Once it uas a traditionol battleground JACQUELINEPONTRE for Aboriginal people. Today the competition is betueen sailboarders HUNTERSAND GATHERERS while families of picnickers look on. Seepage 23- PETERBINDON AND TREVOR WALLEY ...... ,,,,,,,,,,,,...... 28 Small and shg and quite unlike their exotic, urban cousins, high climbing ORCHIDSOF THE STIRLING RANGE rodents liae throughout the Kimberley. ANDREWBROWN 36 Seepage 10. KANGAfiOOHILLS TIMBER RESERVE ANDYCHAPMAN AND ROB THOMAS 43
LERPS,BUGS AND GUM.LEAVES JANETFARR
The uarious groups of Aboriginal people around the Swan River liued in lNPERSPECT|VE...... 4 harmong uith the seasons. Seepage 28. BUSHTE1EGRAPH...... 6
ENDANGEREDsANDHt11DUNNARr ...... 22
URBANANT|CS...... 54
ARBORDAY POSTER COMPETlTlOh ...... ru
His name k connecteduith plants and places around Austrqlia. He uas interested in eoergthing from Abofiginal custotns to lhe size of trees. Leam about the incredible aariet| of Read obout AMar. of Scienceor1 orchids in the Stirling Range. page 16- Seepage 36-
ilan.gingEdltor: Fon Kawalilak Editor:David Gough ContdbullngEdltors: Verna Cosl€llo, Helenka Johnson, Tarryia Maded, CarolynThomson The mang coloured orchid (Caledonia Sciontilicend lechnlcrl advic€: Andre{ Eurtidoe, Roger ljndslwmd productlon: polychtoma ) is uell rmmed.Aside from D6ignand SueMa.ais pinfs Flnishodert GodEenvan der Me€l the rich therc are clumps of lemon ' yellou pure Adveisir€: Btelle de San Miguel (09)3898644 Fax:389 8236 and white. The orchid is llluglration:Sandra Mitchell found in the low areas of the CdowSepa.ation byPepress Services Range,preferring ualdoo and sheodk I PrintedinWeslem Austalia bv Lamb Pfint gears woodlands. While most its aibranl @ISSN 0815-4455. All matedal copyright. No pan ol he conlentsot he plbtkrtion flowers can be sean,it flowers best after beepoduced witroul fle consenlol fie publishets frrc. Theillustrction is bg Phi ipa Nikulinsky. PublishedbyDr S Shea, Executive Difector Departmentol Conservation and Land l\4anagement, 50Hayman Road, Como. Westem Australia 6152.
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