Mongarlowe midge orchid facts for kids

The Mongarlowe midge orchid, also known by its scientific name Genoplesium oliganthum, is a tiny orchid that grows on land. In Australia, it's sometimes called Corunastylis oligantha. This special plant is found only in New South Wales, Australia. It has one thin leaf and can grow up to nine flowers that are greenish-brown or reddish. These flowers also have a purplish part called a labellum. You can find this orchid growing among grasses and shrubs in the Southern Tablelands area.

What Does the Mongarlowe Midge Orchid Look Like?

The Mongarlowe midge orchid is a plant that lives for many years. It has an underground part called a tuber, which is like a small storage root. Each plant grows a single leaf that is about 8 to 20 centimeters (3 to 8 inches) long. A small part of the leaf, about 1 to 1.8 centimeters (0.4 to 0.7 inches) long, stands freely.

The Flowers of the Midge Orchid

This orchid can have up to nine flowers. They are greenish-brown to reddish and grow along a stem that is 1 to 2 centimeters (0.4 to 0.8 inches) tall. The stem is taller than the leaf. Each flower is about 1 centimeter (0.4 inches) long and 0.9 centimeters (0.35 inches) wide. They have darker stripes on their upper sepal and petals.

Just like other orchids in its group, the flowers of the Mongarlowe midge orchid are upside down. This means the labellum, which is a special lip-like petal, is above the column (the part that holds the pollen) instead of below it.

Flower Parts Explained

• The dorsal sepal is the top part of the flower. It's about 5.5 millimeters (0.2 inches) long and 3 millimeters (0.1 inches) wide. It has smooth edges and a sharp tip.
• The lateral sepals are the two side parts. They are about 7 millimeters (0.3 inches) long and 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) wide. They spread out wide from each other.
• The petals are about 5.5 millimeters (0.2 inches) long and 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) wide. They also have smooth edges and pointed tips.
• The labellum is the special lip of the flower. It's oval-shaped, about 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) long and 3 millimeters (0.1 inches) wide. It's thick and fleshy, with hairy edges and a pointed tip. There's a raised area called a callus in the middle of the labellum, reaching almost to its tip.

This orchid usually blooms between January and April.

How Was the Mongarlowe Midge Orchid Named?

The Mongarlowe midge orchid was first officially described in 2001 by a botanist named David Jones. He wrote about it in a publication called The Orchadian. He based his description on a plant he found near Braidwood.

In 2002, David Jones and Mark Clements changed its scientific name to Corunastylis oligantha. The second part of its scientific name, oliganthum, comes from ancient Greek words. Oligos means "few" or "little", and anthos means "flower". So, its name basically means "few-flowered orchid".

Where Does the Mongarlowe Midge Orchid Live?

The Mongarlowe midge orchid grows in woodlands. It likes to live among grasses and shrubs. You can find it in the area between Mongarlowe, Braidwood, and Nerriga in New South Wales.