53 
REPORT ON THE ORCHIDS OF 
THE SPRINGBROOK DISTRICT, EASTER, 1955 . 
Chas. O. Dunn. 
Firs! Daff. 
Aloii^^ tlio track just after Itilhorou^^Ji’s Kalis \v(' 
fouiul a foAv j»'reeiiho(xls, Ftcrosi fjhs nufaji.s, in tloAVcn*. 
W(‘ the tip of th(' hood was a de(‘i)er brown than 
those we Avere used to. The plants wei*(‘ even ^rowin^- on 
the footpath where they Avere protected from damajie l>y 
a small rock. 
A little further along Ave came to a creek, dry in spite 
of tile rain; qrrite a munher of greenhoods Avere there in 
floAver; noted, Avere some plants groAving on a fallen log, 
apparently in process of evolution to a semi-epiphytic 
state. 
In the creek bed itself tlie Avaters liad Avashed aAvay 
sonu‘ of the gravel exposing th(‘ roots, thus (uiahling us to 
s('c the new tubers forming at the tips of tlie long roots. 
This A'eg(‘tative process aids the colonies in extending, not 
only in their immediate vicinity, hut also further down 
the creeks, as the tubers mature and are Avashed doAvn. 
At the same spot groAving luxuriantly Avere a number 
of Dciulrobium kiugianum, the pseudo-bulbs being long 
Avith very light green leaves. It is doubtful Avhether they 
Avould floAver ]'>i*ofusely on account of the heavy shade. 
Kc-joining the road Ave came aci'oss a fallen tree ; on 
the earth surrounding the turned-up roots avc were in- 
trigued by an aerial of the same species rooting profusely 
in the soil; this is unusual. 
Coming back avc noticed an odd plant of Sarcocii-iln.s 
falcaius. This very beautiful orcliid is generally called 
‘the orange blossom orchid,’ both from its appearance and 
delightful fragrance, rnfortunately these have been badly 
vandalised. Last year one of the chain stores sold a large 
number in floAver. I venture to say in tAVo years not one 
of these plants Avill be alh'e. 
Making a short detour to the top of Twin Falls av(‘ 
found a plant of TaenwphifJhun on a tree Avith the creek 
running only a fcAv feet each side of the trunk. This is a 
leafless orchid in Avhich the Avork of the leaves is carried 
on liy the roots, Avhich are ahvays green. 
Near the gate, Avas one solitary floAver, passed its 
best, of a Pfcrostjflis near to F. aenminaia. 
