Granite China Orchid - Cyanicula nikulinskyae

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Granite China Orchid - Cyanicula nikulinskyae

A few scattered collections are recorded from or near granite outcrops between the Fitzgerald River National Park (west of Esperance), to Israelite Bay (east of Esperance) and inland to Mt Ridley. They appear very similar to the Blue China Orchid, Cyanicula gemmata, but differ by having "pale blue coloration and tall cylindrical labellum calli." The intensity of the blue coloration from my observations is extremely variable, so identification from that aspect alone would be misleading, but combined with the granite habitat and the long cylindrical calli, it becomes more diagnostic.

The notation in the publication Orchids of Western Australia by Andrew Brown et. al. also states that this china orchid will flower without the influence of a bushfire. The single sizable colony (50-100 plants) I observed, occupied an area approximately 15 metres x 2 metres (50' x 6') to the east of Esperance, the other consisted of only 2 plants on another granite outcrop 30 km further east. Both colonies were growing on granite outcrops that had not been burnt for several years.

Flowers are around 4 cm (11/2") diameter with variable tepal widths (sepals and petals) and are recorded flowering from September to early November. My sightings were in late September (main colony) and mid October when all were in full bloom.

Western Tiny Blue Orchid - Cyanicula aperta

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Western Tiny Blue Orchid - Cyanicula aperta

A strange common name as the flower is far from being tiny. The ones seen have been a good 20 mm diameter (around 1") and are quite noticeable, however the orchid is not common in near coastal areas except maybe after a summer bushfire, although odd ones can still be found providing they are not overgrown by other vegetation. Initially the orchid appears leafless, but one can usually be found lying close to the ground.

The Western Tiny Blue Orchid occurs around granite outcrops and low-lying areas with sub-surface moisture, a habitat often highlighted by thickets of the attractive orange flowered Lambertia inermis. A number of other habitats are recorded, but I have not seen this orchid in them. The flowers vary from blue to pale blue and occasionally white, and bloom during August and September.

Blue China Orchid - Cyanicula gemmata

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Blue China Orchid - Cyanicula gemmata

A large purple/blue flower to 50 mm (2") diameter, but usually less than 150 mm (6") in height. Flowers September/October on acid soils and often found on sandy slopes near ephemeral swamps and around granite outcrops. I have rarely found them together in any numbers, but more often as single or a few well-spaced plants, although they can be very common after summer bushfires. The leaf is relatively small and broad being to 40 mm x 20 mm wide (11/2" x 3/4"), which on the facing side it is green and hairy, but on the reverse is hairless and although initially green matures to the purple brown.

Update 22/12/08
The illustrations above have been changed to take into account the differences of three similar china orchids of the Esperance region according to a recent publication 'Orchids of Western Australia' by Andrew Brown et.al. Apparently the orchid I had previously listed as the Blue China Orchid is a new species and now tentatively called Cyanicula sp. 'Esperance' - Esperance China Orchid. To hopefully escape the influence of this orchid, the photos above were taken from plants 80 km NE of Esperance.