Purple beard orchid, Brown Beards, Red Beard Orchid
Calochilus robertsonii
Family: Orchidaceae
What it is like
A stout fleshy orchid. It keeps growing from year to year but dies back in winter. It grows 35 cm high and spreads 15 cm wide. The stem is thick. The leaf near the base is ribbed. It clasps the stem. There are bracts on the stem. The flowering stem is 25-45 cm high. There are 4-6 flowers. They are green with purple stripes. The labellum is reddish purple and bearded.
There are 11 Calochilus species found in Australasia. The Tasmanian one may be Calochilus platychilus.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in heaths and scrub and open Eucalypt forest. It grows on well drained soil and rocky ground. It does best in light humus-rich soil in a protected shady position. It is sensitive to drought and tender to frost.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin), New Zealand, Tasmania
How it is used for food
The tuber is eaten after roasting. The seeds are ground into flour and used to make bread.
Edible parts
Tuber, root, seeds
How it is grown
It can be grown by division.