(Beautiful Lip) or BEARD ORCHIDS.
Calochilus is widespread throughout Australia with some ten species
named.
Three of these are present in the south west of WA. and two others are
found in the Kimberley in the north of the state.
The striking bearded labellum is the focal point shown in the photos.
C. robertsonii is common in the lower southwest high rainfall
areas. Its preferred environment is to grow in sandy peat swap perimeters
and in winter wet dried out peat swamps where it can flower with population
explosions after previous summer bush fire. There is an inland variant
recorded from York to Narrogin and south to Highbury.
C. campestris was earlier not thought to be in WA but specimens
have been found near Albany in the South Stirling Range and further
east to Hopetoun
C. unnamed from Albany (photo shown here).
Note the sham eyes in the last two.
Ron Heberle. April 2003