18 July 2008

Rabbit Orchid - Leptoceras menziesii

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Rabbit Orchid - Leptoceras menziesii

I have not noticed many colonies of this orchid in the Esperance region and the ones I have, have been in relatively small isolated colonies on raised areas in ephemeral swamps or around granite outcrops. Even then all you usually see are the leaves as they will not flower unless there has been a fire, then all will brightly display their attractive rabbit like flowers, but the following year it will be back to leaves only again.

The flowers can be white, pink or red and if the area has recently been burnt, they will flower between September and November. Exactly when is largely dependant on the local winter/spring rainfall; if the rain has been late, then these and many species will flower later in the season.