Lesser Swamp-orchid  |  

Phaius australis

Status: Endangered on the EPBC Act list

Swamp-orchids are terrestrial orchids and produce the largest flowers of any Australian orchid. Each plant of the Lesser Swamp-orchid has 4-8 large, pleated leaves and 1-2 spikes. The leaves of this orchid are long, relatively narrow and are very similar to the other swamp-orchids. The flowers grow on the top of stalks that are 70-110 cm long and, unlike the other swamp orchids, are red-brown with yellow veins inside the flower. The flowers are perfumed and are 10-15 cm across.

Government evidence of impact of climate change:

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  • Australian Government, Conservation Advice, Phaius australis

    The main potential threats to Common Swamp orchid include timber harvesting; mining; trampling and browsing by feral pigs and domestic livestock and inappropriate fire regimes (NSW DEC; 2005a).

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