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Warty Hammer Orchid
Drakaea livida J.Drumm. 1842

Notes

The Warty Hammer Orchid is one of the most easily recognisable species of Hammer Orchid, as its labellum is covered in numerous dark warts that inspired the orchid’s common name. It is also among the taller species, and the flower stalks can reach a height of up to 40 cm. Nevertheless, the orchids are generally very difficult to locate, as they don’t stand out very well against the surrounding vegetation. The small, pale-green leaves are often much easier to find than the flowers, in particular as they tend to form small colonies in open, sandy areas.

As with other species of Hammer Orchid, the Warty Hammer Orchid uses sexual deception to attract male thynnid wasps as pollinators. When a male wasp grasps the labellum and attempts to fly off with the suspected female, a special hinge mechanism will flip the labellum over and bring the wasp in contact with the stigma and pollen, thereby pollinating the orchid. The Warty Hammer Orchid occasionally forms hybrids with the similar-looking Slender Hammer Orchid (Drakaea gracilis), in particular along the Darling Scarp east of Perth where both species are known to co-occur.

The Warty Hammer Orchid is endemic to south-western Australia where it grows in open, sandy areas in woodlands and winter-wet flats. It is mostly restricted to the higher-rainfall areas south-west of a line from Perth to Albany, with scattered populations extending to near Watheroo in the north and Bremer Bay in the east. The Warty Hammer Orchid is the second-most common and widespread Hammer Orchid after the King-in-his-carriage (Drakaea glyptodon) and is not currently considered to be under threat.

Photos

Drakaea livida
View of the minimalistic flower with the characteristic, warty labellum. (Canning Mills, WA, 01 / 09 / 2019)
Drakaea livida
The labellum is generally quite variable... (North Boyanup, WA, 15 / 09 / 2017)
Drakaea livida
...but the characteristic warts are always present. (Canning Mills, WA, 07 / 09 / 2019)
Drakaea livida
Another view of the characteristic flower. (Canning Mills, WA, 07 / 09 / 2019)
Drakaea livida
Close-up view of the characteristic labellum from the side. (Canning Mills, WA, 01 / 09 / 2019)
Drakaea livida
Close-up view of the labellum from above. (Canning Mills, WA, 01 / 09 / 2019)
Drakaea livida
The comparison with a thumb illustrates the small size of the labellum. (Canning Mills, WA, 01 / 09 / 2019)
Drakaea livida
Warty Hammer Orchids often occur in small groups, although only a few individuals will usually be in flower in any particular year. (Canning Mills, WA, 01 / 09 / 2019)
Drakaea livida
Despite their tall stature, Warty Hammer Orchids are fairly inconspicuous and difficult to find. (Canning Mills, WA, 01 / 09 / 2019)
Drakaea livida
The small, pale-green leaves are often easier to locate than the flowers, in particular when they form colonies in open, sandy areas. (Canning Mills, WA, 16 / 08 / 2015)
Drakaea livida
View of the characteristic habitat: open, sandy patches in between shrubs in a winter-wet situation. (North Boyanup, WA, 15 / 09 / 2017)

References