Journal Number 109
August 2008

AUSTRALIAN NOTES
By David McConachie

Victorian High Country - January 2008
By Colin Rowan
Reprinted from ANOS (Vic) Bulletin 40:8 p11-12 March 2008

The starting point for our high country adventure was the Native Dog Camping Ground. This site is some seven hours drive from Melbourne central, and so it was with some excitement that we all gathered round on day one to start our search for orchids.

The first stop was a large open meadow where we knew we would find Corunastylis arrecta.
Dick Thomson, our leader for the weekend, had investigated the area the day before and tagged the orchids for us. They are so small and blend so well with the surrounding plants that it's hard to spot them. Nearby we found some great examples of Thelymitra cyanea, fully open. Yes, it was a nice, hot and quite humid morning, perfect conditions for the thely's.

Shortly after, we discovered in the surrounding forest some Pterostylis atrans and P. decurva and plants with intermediate looks. Moving on, we found two plants of the rare Thelymitra alpina in flower, a special treat for everyone, especially the photographers amongst us.

Our next stop was the side of the road where, on our last trip, we found Archnorchis aestiva, the mountain summer spider orchid. Even with all the eyes we had available to search, no spiders were found, although some fine examples of Microtis species were duly noted.

Lunch was a leisurely affair under a large spreading gum at another meadow. Here we found more Corunastylis arrecta as well as C. despectans plus more Thelymitra cyanea, Pterostylis atrans and P. decuva. New orchids for this area were P. alpina, Prasophyllum sphacelatum
(Large Alpine Leek) and Diuris monticola.

After dinner, all attending sat around in a circle and discussed the day's events and orchids in general. It was revealed that one member had an accident close by the camp. The trailer he was pulling had a blow out which swung his car into the gutter and, as he corrected, the car took flight and crashed down a three metre embankment. The car looked great from the top, but it was probably a write-off. Thankfully our member climbed out unharmed!

A couple of members were stung by what were probably jumper ants (Myrmecia pilosula), one member having a very acute allergic reaction. Fortunately both members survived, thanks to those who supplied some antihistamines.

Sunday arrived with more good orchid hunting weather, and we all packed into the available 4WD's as the next location was along a very rough track. At our destination, we soon found some Hymenochilus sp. aff. cycnocephalus (Alpine Swan Greenhood). Following a small watercourse through the meadow, we came across the rare Prasophyllum niphopedium, first in bud then some plants in full flower. These plants were believed to be a new colony and not previously recorded.

As we moved away, we were confronted by a brumby stallion and his mob of about eight horses. After all, we were in his territory and he wanted us to move on. These brumbies are doing a lot of damage to the alpine meadows and sphagnum bogs, with the help of wild pigs and deer. Unfortunately not enough, it seems, is being done to control the problem.

Lunch was under another large spreading gum before we headed back down the track. The afternoon was spent at another alpine meadow down a 4WD track. It was a beautiful setting, with most of the orchids we had seen previously plus a nice group of Gastrodia sesamoides (Cinnamon Orchid) and some Calochilus buds.

At the camp, it was agreed that the season was early and we were lucky to see so many orchids in flower. Thanks go to Dick Thomson as leader, as well as Bill Kosky and Wendy Probert for sharing their special spots with us.