Scientific Name: Calochilus robertsonii

Common Name: purple beard-orchid

Family Classification (Clade): Monocots

Family: Orchidaceae

Form Description: Robust beard orchid with a dark green leaf, maroon at the base.

Height (m): 0.15 – 0.4

Flowers: 1-9 flowers. Widely spreading perianth segments, purple labellum hairs with the basal ones reduced to small purple calli, and 2 prominent dark purple eye spots at the base of the column wings.

Fruit: Papery capsule

Municipality
Break O’DayBurnieCentral CoastCentral HighlandsCircular HeadClarenceDerwent ValleyDorsetFlindersGeorge TownGlamorgan-Spring BayGlenorchyHobartHuon ValleyKentishKing IslandKingboroughLatrobeLauncestonMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsSorellSouthern MidlandsTasmanWaratah-WynyardWest CoastWest Tamar
Plant Communities
Dry Eucalypt ForestGrasslandHeathSedgeland and Wetland
Habitat Notes

Heathy and grassy open eucalypt forest, teatree scrub and heathland on well drained sandy, loamy, clay and stoney soils. Widespread and common in lowland areas up to 350m, including several Bass Strait Islands, but is most abundant in the drier eastern, midland and south-eastern parts of the state.

Site Tolerance

Exposed, Moist, Shady

Soil Tolerance

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

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

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.