Parson’s Bands, Pink Autumn Orchid, Autumn orchid
Eriochilus cucullatus

Family: Orchidaceae

What it is like

A small ground orchid. It has a tuber. There is only one leaf. The leaf is 0.5-4 cm long by 0.3-0.8 cm wide. It may not be completely developed at flowering time. The flower stem is thin and wiry. It can be 5-25 cm high. There can be 5 flowers. Each flower is 2 cm across. They are mostly white but can be blue or pink. It produces nectar.

There are about 6 Eriochilus species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It can grow in subalpine regions, open forests, heathlands and coastal scrubs.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Tasmania (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The tubers are edible but this would kill the plant.

Edible parts

Tubers, root

How it is grown

Plants are grown from tubers. Seeds sometimes grow in sprinkled around the base of established plants.

The tuber is dormant during spring and summer.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Eriochilus autumnalis;