Brindabella Midge Orchid (Corunastylis ectopa)
Description
- The Brindabella Midge Orchid is a perennial plant that grows to 10-25 cm tall from an underground tuber.
- The tuber grows a single leaf after summer rain that wraps around the new flowering stem. About 6 weeks later (usually between late January and March), between 15-35 small green and reddish-purple flowers are produced along a single flower stem.
- The orchid relies on a soil (mycorrhizal) fungus to help germinate its seeds and for nutrient supply throughout its life.
- The flowering stem and leaf die back after flowering, and the tuber stays dormant until the next season's rain.
- This species relies on warm seasonal rain to trigger flowering each year, plants may not flower in years where there is insufficient rain.
Find out more about the Brindabella Midge Orchid on Canberra NatureMapr.
Where to find them
The Brindabella Midge Orchid is only found in the ACT. It is at risk of extinction due to its small and fragmented population.
- They occur in a small number of sites across the Brindabella Range and Boboyan Divide in Namadgi National Park.
- There are only about 220 plants estimated to exist. It was discovered in 1992, when 70 plants were found.
- The species is known to grow in open Broad-leaved Peppermint eucalyptus forest.
- The orchid grows on stony soils in open areas with sparse shrub cover.
Conservation threats
The Brindabella Midge Orchid is vulnerable to threats to their habitat, which include:
- erosion on steep sites
- competition from weeds and unnatural shrub growth
- herbicides used to control weeds and other plants near the site
- human activity in the area (e.g. roadworks, illegal collection)
- potential damage from fires.
Conservation status
- National – Critically endangered (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999).
- Australian Capital Territory – Endangered (Nature Conservation Act 1980).
Conservation actions
Conservation actions of the Brindabella Midge Orchid aim to:
- prevent weeds and excess shrub regrowth on the sites
- prevent roadworks near the sites
- research to better understand the biology and ecology of the species
- develop protocols around seed collection so it can be further collected and stored in the National Seed Bank
- research the fungus needed to help the plant germinate
- raise awareness in the community to support in conservation efforts.