Scientific Name: Microtis parviflora

Common Name: slender onion-orchid

Family Classification (Clade): Monocots

Family: Orchidaceae

Form Description: A slender, green onion orchid; leaf 200-500mm long.

Height (m): 0.2 – 0.5

Flowers: Up to 80 tiny, crowded flowers. Dorsal sepal up to 3mm with only a very slight upturn at the apex. Small, triangular to round labellum with smooth or only slightly ruffled margin.

Municipality
Break O’DayBrightonBurnieCentral HighlandsCircular HeadClarenceDerwent ValleyDorsetFlindersGeorge TownGlamorgan-Spring BayGlenorchyHobartKentishKingboroughLatrobeLauncestonMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsTasmanWaratah-WynyardWest CoastWest Tamar
Plant Communities
Coastal VegetationGrasslandHeathSedgeland and Wetland
Habitat Notes

Widely distributed in coastal grassland, heathland and sedgeland on poor to moderately drained soils. Often colonises disturbed sites and is common in gardens that have been mulched.

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.