Attractive blotches

Describing something as blotched suggests an unattractive appearance, however in the case of the Blotched Hyacinth Orchid Dipodium punctatum the name is belied by the beautiful flowers, although technically a correct description.

 

We have many of these orchids appearing from early December through to February but quite often we don't get to see many come into flower as a very small  Agromyzid fly lays eggs in the scape and the interior is consumed by the larvae. The fly Melanagromyza dipoddii as you can guess gained the scientific name from being associated with the orchid, however it is also a pest which attacks bean crops. This year we have been fortunate to have quite a few plants get to full flower particularly this month. These leafless orchids are found throughout the eastern states in open woodland areas with substantial leaf litter covering the underground rhizome.