Fringed Hare Orchid - Leporella fimbriata
A very shy flowering orchid with usually only a few flowering plants in any colony (many have none at all). However, their leaves can be very common and widespread in sandy heath environments. When they do flower it is usually between March and July and usually in more open environments. They are aided in this regard by bushfires and general disturbance and will then flower more readily, although many still only produce leaves, which may mean plant maturity is also involved.
To induce pollination, this orchid releases a sex hormone to attract flying male ants (probably of specific species), which then try to mate with the orchids labellum, but instead of satisfaction gets dusted with pollen. This is then passed on when the ant attempts to mate with other hare orchids and so cross-fertilisation occurs.
