Eastern Australian Underground 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: Rhizanthella slateri

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Gazetted date: 06 Dec 2002

Profile last updated: 20 Aug 2019

Description

An orchid with a whitish, fleshy underground stem to 15 cm long and 15 mm diameter. The flowering heads mature below the soil surface or may extend to 2 cm above the ground. Each flower head has up to 30, tubular, purplish flowers.

Distribution

Occurs from south-east Queensland to south-east NSW. In NSW, currently known from fewer than 10 locations, including near Bulahdelah, the Watagan Mountains, the Blue Mountains, Wiseman's Ferry area, Agnes Banks and near Nowra.

Habitat and ecology

Habitat requirements are poorly understood and no particular vegetation type has been associated with the species, although it is known to occur in sclerophyll forest.
Highly cryptic given that it grows almost completely below the soil surface, with flowers being the only part of the plant that can occur above ground. Therefore usually located only when the soil is disturbed.
Flowers September to November.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Habitat loss due to clearing.
Given extremely small population sizes, likely to be threatened by local extinction due to environmental and demographic uncertainty.
Illegal orchid collectors.
Inappropriate fire regime. A fire frequency of less than 10 years is likely to be detrimental to population viability.
Predation of seed vectors, such as Bandicoots by the introduced European red fox.
Potential for disturbance due to highway upgrades and or roadside maintenance activities.
Lack of distributional information.

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Protect areas of known habitat from clearing.

Information sources

Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1993) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 4. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
NSW Scientific Committee (2002) Rhizanthella slateri (an underground orchid) - Vulnerable species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

NSW North Coast	Karuah Manning	Known	None
Other State	Jervis Bay Territory	Predicted	None
South Eastern Highlands	Bungonia	Predicted	None
South Eastern Highlands	Kanangra	Predicted	None
Sydney Basin	Burragorang	Predicted	None
Sydney Basin	Cumberland	Predicted	None
Sydney Basin	Ettrema	Predicted	None
Sydney Basin	Illawarra	Predicted	None
Sydney Basin	Jervis	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Moss Vale	Predicted	None
Sydney Basin	Pittwater	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Sydney Cataract	Predicted	None
Sydney Basin	Wollemi	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wyong	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Yengo	Known	None

Images

Flower, Eastern Australian Underground Orchid <a href="http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/" class="linkBlack100" target="_blank">Botanic Gardens Trust</a>

Flower, Eastern Australian Underground Orchid Botanic Gardens Trust Image 1 of 4.
View slideshow.

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