Scientific Name: Corunastylis brachystachya Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region

Common Name: shortspike midge-orchid

Family Classification (Clade): Monocots

Family: Orchidaceae

Threatened Species Status: Endangered

Permit: It is an offence to collect, disturb, damage or destroy this species unless under permit.

Form Description: A very small midge orchid. Slender green leaf, 18-120 mm long with a reddish base ending well below the flower spike.

Height (m): 0.1 – 0.15

Flowers: 8-12 crowded, semi-nodding, shiny, green to brownish green with reddish petals and labellum; labellum narrow and turned-up with an irregular margins.

Municipality
Circular Head
Plant Communities
Coastal VegetationHeath
Habitat Notes

Highly localised, grows in sandy soil in near-coastal heathland and heathy woodland to 200m elevation among low shrubs, boulders and rock plates.

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.