Rhizanthella johnstonii

Rhizanthella johnstonii K.W.Dixon & Christenh.

Rhizanthella species 'Munglinup'

South Coast Underground Orchid

Kingsley Dixon & Maarten Christenhusz in Phytotaxa 334:75-79, Figs. 2A, 3 (2018)

North of Munglinup, growing in dense thickets of Melaleuca hamata, M. uncinata and a closely related unnamed Melaleuca species. Soil is coarse sandy-clay or sandy-loam with a thin layer of leaf litter.

· · · · · Jun Jul · · · · ·

A rare species with up to 60 small, inward facing, white and pink suffused flowers 4–5 mm across, surrounded by six to eight (rarely to 10) large cream to pale pinkish-cream floral bracts which form a tulip-like head.

It is distinguished from the closely related Western Underground Orchid (Rhizanthella gardneri) by its usually later flowering period, paler coloured floral bracts, less numerous flowers and more southerly distribution.

Threatened (Critically Endangered)

Named in honour of WA Native Orchid Study and Conservation Group member(s): Lionel Johnston