Any orchid expert will tell you
how hard it is to germinate the seeds.
Yet, two threatened Australian native
orchids have recently been germinated symbiotically for the first time.
They are the Crimson
Spider-orchid (Caladenia concolor) and the Sand-hill Spider-orchid (Caladenia arenaria),
from New South Wales.
The exercise is part of the
Australian Network for Plant Conservation’s (ANPC) Orchid Conservation Program delivered
with the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority (WCMA) in Horsham, Victoria.
All Australian terrestrial
orchids rely on a specific mycorrhizal fungi to germinate and sustain their
growth throughout their lifecycle. Researchers needed to find the right type – and
they finally did.
To further complicate things,
each species is pollinated by a unique insect. They don’t yet what pollinates
the Crimson Spider-orchid, but interestingly the orchid has a distinctly
mandarin flavoured smell.
The Crimson Spider-orchid is
particularly rare, with fewer than 30 plants in the world in an area confined
to granite ridge country near Albury, and is also found in north eastern
Victoria.
For further information on the
Orchid Conservation Program, visit the ANPC website.
Caption: Emily Pelloe: 'West Australian Orchids'
Comments
Post a Comment