Scientific Name: Calochilus herbaceus Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region

Common Name: pale beard-orchid

Family Classification (Clade): Monocots

Family: Orchidaceae

Form Description: Slender beard orchid narrow, short leaf.

Height (m): 0.15 – 0.4

Flowers: 1-10 green flowers with reddish stripes, often cupped. Oval-shaped labellum covered with purple bristly hairs with a visible tapered glandular tail and a greenish column with false eye spots.

Fruit: Papery capsule

Municipality
BurnieClarenceDerwent ValleyDorsetFlindersGeorge TownGlamorgan-Spring BayHobartHuon ValleyKing IslandKingboroughLatrobeLauncestonNorthern MidlandsSorellTasmanWaratah-WynyardWest CoastWest Tamar
Plant Communities
HeathSedgeland and Wetland
Habitat Notes

Prefers sedgeland and heathland on poorly drained or damp peats, clays and sandy soils. Also in teatree scrub. Widespread and common in lowland areas except for much of the east coast. Also occurs on King Island and Furneaux Group.

Site Tolerance

Exposed, Moist, Waterlogged

Soil Tolerance

Clay, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Poorly-drained, Sandy

Frost Tolerance

Tender

General Notes

Grows on wet sandy or peaty soils, often colonising banks and the edge of tracks after disturbance. Often found around old logging sites. Flowers without fire.

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Specialist Method

Seed Information

Seed Treatment Notes

Orchid seeds are very minute yellow, brown or blackish dust-like particles. Orchid seeds are produced within a capsule that splits at maturity and releases thousands to millions of seeds. Dispersed by wind and water and only germinate following infection of the embryo by a suitable mycorrhizal fungus. Very few seeds become mature plants. For more information see Jones, Wapstra, Tonelli, Harris (1999): The Orchids of Tasmania.