Red Beaks
Pyrorchis nigricans
Synonyms
- Lyperanthus nigricans
Notes
Despite being one of the most common and widespread orchids across southern parts of Australia, few people have actually seen Red Beaks in flower. The reason for this is that they will only ever produce flowers after a summer bushfire (with rare exceptions). All that is visible in other years are the large, fleshy leaves that often cover the ground in their hundreds or even thousands and gave rise to the other common name of the species: Elephant’s Ears.
Red Beaks are very common and widespread across most of southern Australia, including south-western WA, south-eastern SA, southern VIC, the NSW central coast and parts of TAS, and can be found in a wide range of different habitats and soils. While the leaves can be seen all winter and spring, the main flowering period is late winter to mid spring.
Photos
References
- Pyrorchis nigricans in the Australian Plant Name Index
- Pyrorchis nigricans in the Atlas of Living Australia
- Pyrorchis nigricans in the New South Wales Flora Online
- Pyrorchis nigricans in the Flora of Victoria
- Pyrorchis nigricans in the Electronic Flora of South Australia
- Pyrorchis nigricans in the Western Australian FloraBase