Rediscovered

Arachnorchis pumila

In September of 2009 a terrestrial orchid species endemic to Victoria and considered to be extinct was rediscovered.  The species, Arachnorchis pumila (syn. Caladenia pumila) was located in the south west of the state by a couple who naturally were unable to make a correct identification.  After a process of attempted identification by various people, a positive identification was undertaken by persons within the Victorian Department of Sustainability.  Hand pollination of a flower has been performed, mycorrhiza studied, seed collected and the hope for the future is a sustainable long-term population.  The orchid site is being subjected to a series of protection measures to assure this becomes a reality.    

A. pumila was originally discovered by Miss. B. Pilloud in 1922 and has not been seen since 1926.  Plants are small as the name suggests and the tallest of the two plants recetly discovered is 100 mm high.  

The DSE scientists are very excited with this find as opportunities such as this are rare and one would hope those who either know, or think they know the location of the orchid site ,keep themselves suitably restrained and do not attempt to either visit the site or search for it, as trampling along with collection will see it disappear for another 83 years.