Ravine Orchid - profile

Scientific name: Sarcochilus fitzgeraldii 
 Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable
National conservation status: Vulnerable

Description

A clumping, pendulous orchid with broad, dark-green and slightly channelled leaves to 20 cm long and fleshy grey-green roots. In spring, several 20 cm long arching flowering stems are produced, each bearing up to 15 showy and fragrant flowers, which are 30 mm across, and usually white with crimson spots in the centre or, rarely, all crimson.

Location and habitat

Distribution
 North-east NSW, north of the Macleay River, to Maleny in south-east Queensland.

• The Ravine Orchid grows mainly on rocks, amongst organic matter, in cool, moist, shady ravines, gorges and on cliff faces in dense subtropical rainforest at altitudes between 500 and 700 m. Occasional clumps are found on the bases of fibrous-barked trees.

Regional information
This species is found in the following catchment management authority regions. Click on a region name to see more details about the distribution, vegetation types and habitat preference of the species in that region.

• Northern Rivers

Threats

• Illegal removal of plants by collectors.
• Risk of extinction due to low numbers and limited habitat.

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Department of Environment and Conservation has identified 6 priority actions to help recover the Ravine Orchid in New South Wales.

What needs to be done to recover this species?

• Appreciate viewing and photographing native orchids but leave them in the wild.
• Buy plants only from licensed nurseries.
• Report new records of Ravine Orchid to the DEC.

References

• Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1993) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 4. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
• NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Flora. NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour, NSW.