Cyanicula ashbyae

Cyanicula ashbyae Hopper & A.P.Br.

Caladenia ashbyae

Powder-blue China Orchid

Cyanicula gemmata (China Orchids)

Stephen Hopper & Andrew Brown in Lindleyana 15:120-121 (2000)

Beacon to Pingaring with a disjunct population west of York, in inland areas it grows in shallow soil pockets on granite outcrops while west of York it grows in sandy and gravelly soils in woodlands, flowering best in the season following summer fire.

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An inland species 80–150 mm high with a shortly hairy leaf, 20–40 mm long by 10–20 mm wide, which is tinged reddish-purple on the underside and up to two strongly-fragrant, pale bluish-mauve (rarely white) flowers 20–30 mm across. The leaf is often brown and shrivelled when plants are in flower.

Although similar in appearance to Fragrant China Orchid (Cyanicula fragrans) this species has a pungently sweet floral odour and a leaf which is tinged reddish-purple rather than green underneath.

Not Listed