166 THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 
NOTES ON THE HABITS OF CERTAIN ORCHIDS. 
By Rey. H. Rupp. 
I. Eriochilus autumnalis, R.Br. I have specimens of this 
orchid from the following localities: New South Wales—Barraba; 
Lane Cove River; Moruya; Alum Mountain, Bulahdelah; Topi 
Topi (Myall Lakes). Tasmania—Swan Point (Tamar River) ; 
Launceston; Middlesex Plains (Western highlands). It appears 
to me to be unusually sensitive to climatic conditions. One 
generally looks for widely-distributed plants early in the season 
in warm climates, and late in colder districts; but with. some 
autumn-flowering plants this order is reversed, and Friochilus 
is a good example. In Tasmania it may be found late in 
January, though in warm spots with plenty of shelter I have 
seen it in April. February is its favoured month there. From 
Sydney down the south coast of N.S.W. it is at its best from 
the middle of March to the middle of April. Further north it 
rarely appears before April, and may’ be found as late as June. 
Thus it seems to adapt its habit to secure approximately the 
same temperature for its flowers everywhere. Normally it is 
very slender and small, only conspicuous by its white lateral 
sepals. Near the Myall Lakes of N.S.W. a larger and more ro- 
bust form occurs in swampy Melaleuca country. The plants 
there may reach 12 inches in height, with two to five quite hand- 
some flowers, the lateral sepals being sometimes rosy red. ln 
Moore and Betche’s Handbook of the Flora of N.S.W. the leaf 
of this orchid is described as withering away before flowering- 
time. This appears to be a mistake. In my experience the leaf 
is always present, but is immature; when the flowers have faded 
it grows much larger, and persists throughout the winter. 
II. Chiloglottis diphylla, R.Br. I have specimens from 
Lane Cove River and Bulahdelah, N.S.W.; Lindisfarne (Derwent 
River) and Launceston, Tasmania. Like Hriochilus, this may be 
called an autumn-flowering plant, but it is erratic in this respect, 
and less sensitive to climate. I found it flowering at Lindisfarne, 
opposite Hobart, in June: about Launceston in April only: at 
Bulahdelah in May and June: along Lane Cove River from 
April to June. The Launceston form is taller and more robust 
than any other I have seen. The flowering-time of any particular 
“natch” is brief, and this fact, together with its inconspicuous 
form and colour, may account for frequent failures to find 
flowers. It is very common in many parts of Tasmania, but 
often seems to miss flowering. Patch after patch may be found 
without any sign of a flowering-stem; then may come one with 
scores of plants in bloom. 
