Pyrorchis nigricans

Pyrorchis nigricans (R.Br.) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.

Caladenia nigricans; Lyperanthus nigricans; Burnettia nigricans

Red Beaks

Robert Brown in Prodromus florae Novae Hollandiae et insulae Van-Diemen, exhibens characteres plantarum quas annis 1802-1805: 325 (1810) as Lyperanthus nigricans

Shark Bay to Israelite Bay, growing in sandy, sandy-clay and lateritic soils in forests, woodlands and shrublands. In most areas plants flower only in the season following summer fire but some inland populations occasionally flower in the absence of fire. Also found in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.

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A common species 50–300 mm high with a large, smooth, heart-shaped basal leaf 20–140 mm long by 20–80 mm wide and up to eight prominently striped red and white flowers 20–30 mm across.

It is distinguished from the related Pink Beaks (Pyrorchis forrestii) by its prominently striped red and white flowers, earlier flowering period and dryer upland habitat.

Not Listed