Scientific Name: Dockrillia striolata

Common Name: rock-orchid

Family Classification (Clade): Monocots

Family: Orchidaceae

Form Description: A clumping, epiphytic, rock-dwelling orchid with wiry stem; long tubular, fleshy leaf 50-150mm long.

Height (m): 0.2 – 0.4

Flowers: Short racemes with 1-3 yellowish flowers streaked with brown and white, particularly prominent on the outside of the perianth segments; flowers downward hanging and fragrant.

Fruit: Papery capsule

Municipality
Break O’DayFlindersGlamorgan-Spring Bay
Plant Communities
Coastal VegetationDry Eucalypt Forest
Habitat Notes

Epiphytic, growing on isolated rocks, most commonly grano-diorite and granite, often in river gorges, from the Furneaux group of Islands south down the Tasmanian east coast to Freycinet Peninsula. Most colonies are found on east-facing sites directly exposed to moisture laden sea breezes.

Site Tolerance

Exposed, Moist, Windy

Soil Tolerance

Nutrient-poor, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Tender

General Notes

Dockrilla roots spread widely over the rock surfaces and in crevices. As they are not insulated by soil, the plants are very vulnerable to all but low intensity ground fires.

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.