Native Terrestrial Orchid Study group
Some local terrestrial orchids
Thelymitra carnea
Diuris nigromontana
Caladenia major
About the Native Terrestrial Orchid Study Group
The Canberra orchid society group conducts activities to assist in the knowledge, identification and protection of native terrestrial orchids in the ACT and adjoining areas. Join the club to expand your knowledge of these wonderful orchids. How and where they grow, when they flower and why these treasures exist in our bush around our Capital.
The activities include;
- The conservation of our native orchids where every possible, by assisting research and Government agencies.
- Conducting surveys of bushland and reserves to Identify native orchid species locations in the ACT
- Providing advice on land developments that may impact native orchids
- Contributing to Naturemap and Government database records and their management on the location, diversity and density of all species of local native orchids
- Guiding members on walks to identify native orchids at various locations and flowering seasons
Providing advice to complement those members whose interest is in legally growing native orchid tubers at home and the culture of native terrestrial orchids.
Orchid Society members on a guided walk on Black Mountain
Members surveying recovery of native orchids following bushfires in the Namadgi National Park
Upcoming Activities of the Study Group
Upcoming excursions and activities of the terrestrial Study group will be listed here.
Reports Prepared by the Study Group
Bluett’s Block Baseline Orchid Survey
The 2022-2023 Bluett’s Block–Piney Ridge baseline orchid survey aimed to record the diversity and density of native bush orchids growing within the remnant bush area known as Bluett’s Block and/or Piney Ridge. It aimed to establish an orchid baseline, to assist a better understanding of
the true orchid ecology of this special area at the current urban edge of the Molonglo
Development Project. Following the reintroduction of Eastern Bettong, into the original fenced sanctuary in 2012, research revealed the Eastern bettong’s diet included orchid tubers. The
impact on orchid populations is not known, though anecdotal evidence suggested orchid numbers
may have declined. This baseline study seeks to assist in the quantifying any impacts the additional release may have.
Response of Namadgi Orchids
This project investigated the responses of orchid species to fire following the January-February 2020 bushfire in Namadgi National Park. Special consideration was given to rare and threatened orchid species within this burnt area. The information presented in the report is the result of data synthesis and nine months of direct field observations collected during the eighteen months since the fire.
Sanctuary Extension Baseline Orchid Survey
The 2021-2022 Goorooyarroo Sanctuary Extension baseline orchid survey aimed to record the diversity and density of native bush orchids growing within the Goorooyarroo Sanctuary Extension enclosed by the predator proof sanctuary fence. It aimed to establish an orchid baseline, prior to the planned release of Eastern Bettong into this extension area. Following the reintroduction of Eastern Bettong, into the original fenced sanctuary in 2012, research revealed the Eastern bettong’s diet included orchid tubers. The impact on orchid populations is not known, though anecdotal evidence suggested orchid numbers may have declined. This baseline study seeks to assist in the quantifying any impacts the additional release may have.