Brown Butterfly 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: Sarcochilus dilatatus

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 09 Feb 2001

Profile last updated: 18 Dec 2020

Description

Brown Butterfly Orchid grows on rainforest trees. It has greenish-red to brown flowers with a white lip marked yellow and purple. The flowers are present during summer and autumn and are followed by dry fruit capsules. The lon, narrow leaves are 3-6 cm long and 4-10 mm wide.

Distribution

Brown Butterfly Orchid occurs in Queensland and north-east NSW. In NSW it is very rare, with the only recent record being from a single location near Hortons Creek.

Habitat and ecology

Grows on trees in littoral rainforest, subtropical rainforest, dry rainforest and streamside forests, mainly at low to medium (up to 500m) altitudes.
Plants favour Hoop Pine as a host.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Small population size places the species at risk of localised extinction
Clearing of rainforest and streamside habitat.
Invasion of habitat by weed species.
Inappropriate fire regimes, including fire that is too frequent, too intense, or at the wrong time of year causing loss of individual plants
Illegal collection leading to the loss of individual plants and genetic diversity
Degradation of habitat by grazing stock.
Insufficient understanding of distribution.
Habitat degradation by lantana invasion changes species diversity, soil chemistry and moisture, increases fire risk and promotes bell miner associated dieback
Timber harvesting/removal and land clearing on private land (both legal and illegal) degrading and removing habitat for the species

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Raise landowners' awareness about Brown Butterfly Orchid.
Enjoy photographing native orchids but leave them where they are.
Protect rainforest and streamside areas from fire.
Fence rainforest and streamside areas to exclude grazing stock and encourage regeneration.
Assist in the control of weeds in areas of habitat.
Protect areas of rainforest and streamside habitat from clearing and disturbance.

Information sources

Boyes, B. (2002) Descriptions, Habitat and Threats for the Significant Species and Ecological Communities of Gatton and Laidley Shires, South-East Queensland. Appendix B to the Biodiversity Recovery Plan for Gatton and Laidley Shires, South-East Queensla
NSW Scientific Committee (2001) Sarcochilus dilatatus (an epiphytic orchid) - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
Steenbeeke, G. (1999) Confirmation of Sarcochilus dilatatus F. Muell (Orchidaceae) in New South Wales, and an extension of range. Cunninghamia 6 (2): 379-381.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

NSW North Coast	Dalmorton	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Predicted	None

Images

Flowering plant of <I>Sarcochilus dilatatus</I> on Araucaria twig. <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/orkology" class="linkBlack100" target="_blank">Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology</a>

Flowering plant of Sarcochilus dilatatus on Araucaria twig. Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology Image 1 of 4.
View slideshow.

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