Southern Swamp Orchid - profile

Indicative distribution

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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: Phaius australis

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Gazetted date: 12 Jun 1998

Profile last updated: 21 Aug 2018

Description

This orchid has flower stems up to 2 m tall and large broad leaves with a pleated appearance, both arising from a fleshy bulb near ground level. The large, showy flowers, with up to 20 per stem, have four petals which are white on the outside and brown with white or yellow veins on the inside. The central tongue of the flower is pink and yellow with lobes slightly curved inwards.

Distribution

Occurs in Queensland and north-east NSW as far south as Coffs Harbour. Historically, it extended farther south, to Port Macquarie.

Habitat and ecology

Swampy grassland or swampy forest including rainforest, eucalypt or paperbark forest, mostly in coastal areas.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Illegal collection for horticulture or cut flowers. This showy species is highly sought after.
Small population size.
Drainage of swamps, or pollution from nutrient run-off.
Frequent fire
Grazing and trampling by domestic stock and feral pigs.
Invasion of habitat by introduced weeds.
Trail bike riders disturbing substrate and destroying plants.
Rubbish dumping and other disturbance due vehicles and/or people
Clearing and fragmentation of habitat for develoment, agriculture and roadworks.

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 5 priority actions to help recover the Southern Swamp Orchid in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

View and photograph native orchids but leave them in the wild.
Buy plants only from licensed nurseries.
Assist with the control feral pigs.
Protect areas of habitat from frequent fire.
Protect areas of habitat from pollution.
Fence off swampy areas to exclude stock.
Control weeds.
Protect areas of habitat from clearing, draining or development.
Report any records to the DEC.

Information sources

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Flora. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
NSW Scientific Committee (1998) Phaius australis (a tall swamp orchid) - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

NSW North Coast	Coffs Coast and Escarpment	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Macleay Hastings	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Yuraygir	Known	None
Ocean	Tweed-Moreton	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Known	None

Images

Flower, Southern Swamp Orchid Image 1 of 3.
View slideshow.

Related information

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