Perth Branch Meeting

SPEAKER: Mark Brundrett – The Biology of Orchids

At the September 10 meeting of Perth Branch of the Wildflower Society we will be entertained by Mark Brundrett who will present a further talk in his series on Orchids, this time on how they live – ‘Biology of Orchids’. Orchids have their own family, the Orchidaceae with around 800 genera and more than 20,000 species!!!! Orchids are much loved around the world and most people with an interest in plants will have one in their garden or house, generally in a pot. In the wild the potted ones are mostly epiphytes (perching on trees), the most common orchid lifestyle. WA’s orchids are mostly terrestrial (growing in the ground). Mark has produced a beautiful guide to most of WA’s orchids Identification and Ecology of Southwest Australian Orchids. Mark’s most recent orchid project is looking at the lifestyle of all the orchids the Warwick Bushland, his local patch of bushland.

Mark hails from Canada, with a short stint in Africa and has since travelled the world. Originally working on growing bigger Eucalypts with fungi from China to Australia. Mark loves all plants but has a focus on WA orchids because of their association with fungi. Mark’s fantastic photos are used on the Society’s web page and many others can be found on the web.

Meetings of the Perth Branch of the Society are held on the second Tuesday of each month in the Subiaco Community Centre across the road from Crossways Shopping centre in Bagot Road. Doors open at 7.45pm and the meeting begins at 8 pm. Supper is served after the talk and everyone is eligible for the night’s door prize. You do not need to be a member of the Society to attend, entry requiring a $3 door donation.

Photo: A Hare Orchid (Leporella fimbriata) flower with 3 flying ants attempting to mate with the orchid. These ants pollinate this orchid and are highly uncommon pollinators. Mark Brundrett.