The endangered superb midge orchid has continued its streak of record-breaking seasons, with a high number of plants found across the Southern Tablelands this summer.
Saving our Species ecologist Erika Roper said recent summer rains have prompted an explosion of these miniature raspberry-scented orchids in the bush near Nerriga and Braidwood.
‘Before the fires there were only a handful of known plants and historical records, but since 2020 we have discovered more than 300 plants spread over 3 sites,’ Ms Roper said.
‘The number alone is impressive but even more so when you consider just how hard it is to find this plant.
‘Like many orchids, midge orchids spend much of the year below ground as a tuber, before putting up a single narrow stem that develops a flower spike.
‘The stem looks exactly like a chive, the kind you grow in the veggie garden, so even when you know exactly what you are looking for, it’s still tricky surveying for this tiny plant.
‘Fortunately, orchid-spotting is my superpower and I’ve found some emerging stems that are only around 1 centimetre high.
‘We’re into our third summer of soaking rains and we think that is why we are seeing such a response from this and other threatened and common midge orchid species in the area.
‘The fires also reduced many of the threats to this species, such as grazing by herbivores, allowing the orchids to live up to their name and put on a superb show.
‘Coloured varying shades of dark pink and purple with fringed ‘petals’, they are one of the prettiest orchids around, but most people have never seen or even heard of it.
‘Last month’s surveys also found new plants growing in unburnt areas, including along wombat tracks and roadsides, and we have installed temporary cages to protect these individuals from damage.
‘It’s just amazing to see these extremely rare and pretty unusual looking plants bouncing back.
‘It really reconfirms the extraordinary and resilient biodiversity that can be found in this part of the world,’ Ms Roper said.
The Saving Our Species program is investing almost $100,000 into orchid conservation in the Illawarra and surrounding regions. This funding supports ecologists like Erika to commit resources towards threat control, surveying and monitoring, all of which help secure species like the superb midge orchid into the future.
