Corunastylis despectans (Sharp Midge)

Corunastylis despectants is a scarce small midge orchid that flowers in summer, often in association with She-oak or in coastal situations. The scape is around 15mm – 20 mm and the flowers are very small around 3-5 mm. The images below were taken at Lenah Valley on 27 Feb 2022 and South Hobart Dec 26 2022 -4 Jan 2023 on very dry lightly timbered hillsides. Both sites are on poor soil on mudstone with light scattered vegetation including Eucalyptus tenuaramis and drought-tolerant understory.

The flowers display a sharply pointed labellum. The scape is around 15- 30 cm and the flowers are dark and dull purplish-red.