Dark midge orchid facts for kids

The Genoplesium woollsii, also known as the dark midge-orchid, is a special type of orchid. It grows only in New South Wales, Australia. This orchid has a single thin, wire-like leaf. In autumn, it grows up to thirty-five dark purple flowers that hang downwards. These flowers grow on a stem that is joined to the lower part of the leaf.

What it Looks Like

The dark midge-orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It lives for many years and loses its leaves each year. It has one smooth, tube-shaped leaf that is joined to its flowering stem. This leaf can be 100–400 mm (4–20 in) long. The part of the leaf that isn't joined to the stem is 15–35 mm (0.6–1 in) long and stops below the flowers.

This orchid has between five and thirty-five dark purple flowers with darker stripes. They grow on a stem that is 15–35 mm (0.6–1 in) tall. The flowers hang forwards and are about 8 mm (0.3 in) long and 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) wide.

Like other orchids in its genus, these flowers are upside down. This means the "lip" (called the labellum) is above the central part (called the column), instead of below it.

• The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, is egg-shaped. It is 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and 1.5–2 mm (0.06–0.08 in) wide. It has a sharp point and small hairs on its edges.
• The side sepals are long and narrow. They are 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and 1–1.5 mm (0.04–0.06 in) wide. They spread out from each other.
• The petals are egg-shaped, 2.5–3 mm (0.098–0.12 in) long and about 1 mm (0.04 in) wide. They have a pointed tip and small hairs on their edges.
• The labellum (the lip) is egg-shaped. It is 2.5–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and 1.5–2 mm (0.06–0.08 in) wide. Its edges are very hairy, and it has a sharp point.
• There is a thick bump, called a callus, in the middle of the labellum. It runs along about three-quarters of its length.

These orchids usually flower between February and April.

How it Got its Name

The dark midge orchid was first officially described in 1865. A scientist named Ferdinand von Mueller gave it the name Prasophyllum woollsii. He wrote about it in a book called Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae.

Later, in 1989, two other scientists, David Jones and Mark Clements, changed its name to Genoplesium woollsii.

Where it Lives

The dark midge-orchid grows in different places. You can find it in heathlands, forests, and mossy areas. It mainly grows between the Blue Mountains and Batemans Bay in New South Wales.