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Rabbit Orchid
Leptoceras menziesii (R.Br. 1810) Lindl. 1840

Synonyms

Notes

The Rabbit Orchid is unmistakable thanks to its unique flower. The two maroon-coloured petals point upwards to form the characteristic “rabbit ears” that inspired the common English name of the species. The Rabbit Orchid is generally common and widespread across most of southern Australia, including south-western WA, south-eastern SA, southern and central VIC and parts of TAS. In WA it can be found from near Eneabba in the north to Israelite Bay in the south-east.

Rabbit Orchids are notable for their ability for form large clonal colonies that can be made up of hundreds of individual plants. The leaves often cover the ground in large numbers, but only very few plants produce flowers in any particular year. However, Rabbit Orchids are stimulated into flowering by fire and will flower en masse in the season following a summer bushfire.

Flowering occurs during springtime, usually from September until October. Rabbit Orchids can be found in a range of different habitats and soil types, but are typically restricted to moist and shady areas, including winter-wet flats, slopes and along seasonal creeks. As the plants and flowers are relatively small, they are easily overlooked, in particular in years without fire when only few plants are in flower.

Photos

Leptoceras menziesii
The Rabbit Orchid is easily identified by its unique flower. (West Pingelly, WA, 28 / 09 / 2014)
Leptoceras menziesii
The two maroon-coloured petals point upwards to form the characteristic “rabbit ears”. (West Pingelly, WA, 28 / 09 / 2014)
Leptoceras menziesii
View of the flower from the side. (Lake Clifton, WA, 02 / 10 / 2016)
Leptoceras menziesii
Each plant normally carries only a single flower, but two- or three-flowered specimens are occasionally found. (West Pingelly, WA, 28 / 09 / 2014)
Leptoceras menziesii
Another view of the characteristic flower with long “rabbit ears”. (Kwinana, WA, 11 / 09 / 2021)
Leptoceras menziesii
The flowers are quite small and can be hard to find. (Stirling Range, WA, 12 / 09 / 2020)
Leptoceras menziesii
Due to their generally small size the plants are easily overlooked, particularly in dense vegetation. (Stirling Range, WA, 12 / 09 / 2020)
Leptoceras menziesii
Rabbit Orchids flower en masse after a summer bushfire. (Lake Clifton, WA, 02 / 10 / 2016)
Leptoceras menziesii
The leaves can grow fairly large after many years without fire. (West Pingelly, WA, 28 / 09 / 2014)
Leptoceras menziesii
The leaves can cover the ground in their hundreds, with only very few plants producing flowers in a year without fire. (Kwinana, WA, 28 / 08 / 2022)

References