Checklist of the orchids of the Paluma Range Area

Checklist of the orchids of the Paluma Range Area (North Queensland)

This area is the southern limit of the 'Wet Tropics' world heritage listed area of Australia. The area has in its history prior to world heritage status been managed by both the QLD Forestry Department as a source of mill and sleeper timber and also the Qld Mines Department as a source of both alluvial and hard rock mining of tin and other metals.

These days tourism plays a greater part in the local economy.

Terrestrial Species

Acianthus fornicatus
Anoectochilus yatesae
Arthrochilus oreophilus
Caladenia carnea
Calanthe triplicata
Dipodium ensifolium
Diuris aurea
Genoplesium alticolum
Geodorum pictum
Liparis habenarina
Malaxis latifolia
Microtis sp.
Nervilia plicata
Pterostylis hildiae
Thelymitra pauciflora
Zuexine oblonga
Sub Total 16 terrestrial species

Epiphytes

Bryobium queenslandicum
Bulbophyllum schillerianum
Bulbophyllum baileyii
Bulbophyllum bowkettae
Bulbophyllum evasum
Bulbophyllum johnsonii
Bulbophyllum macphersonii
Bulbophyllum newportii
Bulbophyllum radicans
Cymbidium canaliculatum
Cymbidium madidum
Cymbidium suave
Dendrobium adae
Dendrobium agrostophyllum
Dendrobium bairdianum
Dendrobium canaliculatum
Dendrobium discolor
Dendrobium gracilicaule
Dendrobium lichenastrum
Dendrobium linguaforme
Dendrobium monophyllum
Dendrobium schoeninum
Dendrobium racemosum
Dendrobium ruppianum
Dendrobium speciosum
Dendrobium teretifolium var. fasciculatum
Dendrobium tetragonum var giganteum
Dendrobium tetragonum var giganteum X Dendrobium ruppianum
Dendrobium X ruppiosum
Liparis angustilabris
Mobilabium hamatum
Oberonia titania
Phreatia baileyana
Phreatia crassiuscula
Plectorrhiza brevilabris
Sarcochilus ceciliae
Sarcochilus tricalliatus
Sarcochilus falcatus
Taeniophyllum sp.
Sub Total 39 epiphytic species

Total of all species 55

The above species were all personally observed in the region by me in the years between 1979 and 1993.

Some species were in great numbers whilst others were only encountered very occasionally or only once. No doubt others who know the region well will have come across other species which I have not seen. For example Phalaenopsis amablis var rosenstromii is believed to be in this area. I simply have not had the pleasure to have seen it.

If you would like to add to this list please feel free to make a comment to this blog listing any further species you may know of occurring in the region.