This month’s competition consisted of two sections – the Flying Duck and the Little Ducks. The winner of the Flying Duck Orchid (Caleana major) picture was Patsy Love. Bob Bates provided a commentary on the Duck Orchids in South Australia.

The factors contributing to the South Australian vulnerable status is the restricted distribution as a result of loss of habitat due to clearing, grazing, weed infestation, inappropriate timing of slashing, etc.
Another factor is lack of pollinator. Bob stated he has seen a male sawfly pollinating flowers (the labellum resembles a female sawfly) in New South Wales but no-one has ever seen it happening in South Australia. He also added that non-one has ever seen a naturally occurring seed-pod. It is suspected that the pollinators no longer live in South Australia. Thus it is important that the plants and their habitats are not disturbed.
The survival of the duck orchids is made even more precarious by their popularity. This seems to be the orchid that people most want to grow in cultivation. Sadly some people attempt to remove them from their native habitat. Tragically, when this does happen they inevitably die; no one, not even experienced growers, have been able to grow them in cultivation. It is important to concentrate on protecting its habitat if we are to continue to enjoy this unique species.
References:
- Calenana major, Adelaide Mount Lofty South Australia Threatened Species Profile, DEWNR, 2007
- South Australia’s Native Orchids DVD 2011
- Atlas of Living Australia http://bie.ala.org.au/species/Caleana+major Accessed 6th December 2013