Scientific name: Cryptostylis hunteriana
Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable
National conservation status: Vulnerable
Description
As its name implies, the Leafless Tongue Orchid has no leaf. It produces an upright flower-stem to 45 cm tall, bearing five to 10 flowers between November and February. It has small narrow green sepals and petals to 22 mm long, but is dominated by an erect narrow very hairy ‘tongue’ (the labellum). This is up to 33 mm long, maroon along the margins and at the widened tip, and with a black central band. All other tongue orchids have leaves; most have a downward pointing labellum.
Location and habitat
Distribution
The Leafless Tongue Orchid has been recorded from as far north as Gibraltar Range National Park south into Victoria around the coast as far as Orbost. It is known historically from a number of localities on the NSW south coast and has been observed in recent years at many sites between Batemans Bay and Nowra (although it is uncommon at all sites). Also recorded at Nelson Bay, Wyee, Washpool National Park, Nowendoc State Forest, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, Ben Boyd National Park.
Habitat and ecology - Does not appear to have well defined habitat preferences and is known from a range of communities, including swamp-heath and woodland.
- The larger populations typically occur in woodland dominated by Scribbly Gum (Eucalyptus sclerophylla), Silvertop Ash (E. sieberi), Red Bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera) and Black Sheoak (Allocasuarina littoralis); appears to prefer open areas in the understorey of this community and is often found in association with the Large Tongue Orchid (C. subulata) and the Tartan Tongue Orchid (C. erecta).
- Little is known about the ecology of the species; being leafless it is expected to have limited photosynthetic capability and probably depends upon a fungal associate to meet its nutritional requirements from either living or dead organic material.
- In addition to reproducing from seed, it is also capable of vegetative reproduction and thus forms colonies which can become more or less permanent at a site.
Regional information
This species is found in the following catchment management authority regions. Click on a region name to see more details about the distribution, vegetation types and habitat preference of the species in that region.
Threats
- Since the Leafless Tongue Orchid tends to occur in coastal areas the main threat to its continued survival appears to be development pressure on sites where it occurs.
- Some populations are threatened by road works
Recovery strategies
Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Department of Environment and Conservation has identified 4 priority actions to help recover the Leafless Tongue Orchid in New South Wales.
What needs to be done to recover this species?
- Co-operatively develop (local governments and DEC) guidelines for survey and assessment, to be followed by developers, consultants and approval authorities.
- Alert road maintenance staff to the presence of this species.
- Monitor populations to determine the most appropriate timing and frequency of burning.
References
- Backhouse, G.N. and Jeanes, J.A. (1995) The Orchids of Victoria. The Meigunyah Press, Melbourne.
- Bell, S.A.J. (2001) Notes on population size and habitat of the vulnerable Cryptostylis hunteriana (Orchidaceae) from the Central Coast of New South Wales. Cunninghamia 7(2): 195-204.
- Bishop, T. (2000) Field Guide to the Orchids of New South Wales and Victoria. New South Wales University Press, Sydney.
- Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1993) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 4. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
- Walsh, N.G. and Entwisle, T.J. (1994) Flora of Victoria; Volume 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
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