These Australian Native Orchids Bloom In Winter

I’m sure that if you go hiking in conservation areas, you’ve seen our beautiful little native orchid species, but you might not have realised it.

Various species flower at different times, putting on a gorgeous year-round show. Native orchids usually grow in areas with plenty of eucalyptus, as they rely on a fungus that grows around the roots of the trees to germinate their seeds. It’s a pretty neat little deal. You might even have them in your own backyard if you’ve got gum trees about.

Usually, where I live, on the outskirts of Melbourne, places like Baluk William Nature Conservation Reserve, Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve, Warrandyte State Park, Wilson’s Promontory and many other conservation areas have an abundance of native orchids all year round.

Read more: Where to Find Native Wildflowers Around Victoria

Winter Blooming Native Orchid Species

Right now, the ‘winter’ species are flowering, and even though they sport less bright and colourful flowers, they’re no less beautiful. The species that you’ll be looking for are from the Greenhood (Pterostylis), Helmet (Corybas), Midge (Acianthus) and Bird (Chiloglottis) families. All of these families have flowers in green, brown, and deep red hues, perfectly suited to the quiet beauty of winter.

All of our Aussie native orchids are protected, so please look, take photos and wonder at their beauty, but don’t touch.

Here’s a selection of photo references to keep your eyes open for during the colder months, while you’re out on your next hiking adventure.

Tips to Get the Best Orchid Photo

Next time you’re out and about and you spot a blooming orchid, you probably won’t know what species it is right away. Grab your phone or camera, snap a pic, then consult Google to find out what you saw. If you’re serious about spying them all, you’ll want to make sure you get decent shots every time. Here’s some tips to help you catch the bloom in all its beauty:

• Pay attention to the time of day, photos look nicest during the early morning and late afternoon
• Use a tripod or steady surface like a rock to avoid blur from tiny wobbles
• Make use of the focus to capture details on petals and blur out the background
• Respect the environment in its natural state – don’t go trimming plants or disturbing ground cover

Read more: 8 Outdoor Photography Editing Tips For Beginners

Get Your Flower Fix

• These Native Orchids Bloom in The Warmer Months
• Rare Flannel Flowers Turn The Blue Mountains Pink
• Sunflower Field Day Trip in Queensland
• This Rare Plant is Blooming for the First Time in 15 Years!
• A Guide to 12 of the Best Wildflowers in the Blue Mountains
• Dunnstown Sunflower Field – Pick Your Own Sunflowers Near Melbourne

Header image shot by Meghan Lindsay.