Brown Fairy-chain Orchid - profile

Indicative distribution

Loading map...

Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Peristeranthus hillii

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 11 Jun 2004

Profile last updated: 11 Oct 2022

Description

An endemic Australian orchid with a pendulous habit, that grows on tree trunks and thick vines. Flowering stems hang vertically, with the flowers facing downwards. Flowers are greenish-cream with purplish blotches. Sepals and stems are oblong, spreading but then curving inwards.

Distribution

Found in north-eastern NSW, north from Port Macquarie, extending to north-eastern Queensland as far as the Bloomfield River.

Habitat and ecology

Restricted to coastal and near-coastal environments, particularly Littoral Rainforest and the threatened ecological community Lowland Rainforest on Floodplain.
The species is an epiphyte, growing in clumps on tree trunks and thick vines.
Flowers appear during September and October.
Tiny scented flowers produce nectar and are pollinated by small beetles.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Habitat destruction and fragmentation.
Risk of local extinction because populations are small.
Visitor disturbance leading to physical damage of plants.
Weed invasion.
Inundation of low lying areas due to sea level rise.
Orchid lovers collecting plants

Recovery strategies

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

Activities to assist this species

Control invasion and spread of weeds.
Protect known habitat from clearing or disturbance.
Manage or control opportunistic collection of plants.

Information sources

Bishop, T. (2000) Field Guide to the Orchids of New South Wales and Victoria. (New South Wales University Press, Sydney)
Floyd, A.G. (1990) Australian rainforests in New South Wales, Surrey Beatty and Sons, Sydney.
Jones, D.L. (1988) Native Orchids of Australia. Reed, Sydney.
NSW Scientific Committee (2004) Peristeranthus hillii (an orchid) - Vulnerable species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

NSW North Coast	Coffs Coast and Escarpment	Known	Within 5 km of coast
NSW North Coast	Macleay Hastings	Known	Within 5 km of coast
NSW North Coast	Yuraygir	Predicted	Within 5 km of coast
South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Known	Within 5 km of coast
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	Within 5 km of coast
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	Within 5 km of coast
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Predicted	Within 5 km of coast

Images

Flowers, foliage and form, in cultivation, of Brown Fairy-chain Orchid <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/orkology" class="linkBlack100" target="_blank">Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology</a>

Flowers, foliage and form, in cultivation, of Brown Fairy-chain Orchid Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology Image 1 of 5.
View slideshow.

Related information

Get involved

Report a sighting

Nature conservation

Threatened species