This native groundcover is commonly known as ladies tresses.
Spiranthes australis is described as a "monocot" in the Orchidaceae family.
Flagged as a potential locally significant species in the Fraser Coast Region. In the Queensland Nature Conservation Act it is classified as Least Concern. Under the Federal Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act it is not classified.
A small plant with a basal tuft of erect, linear, narrow- lanceolate leaves 7-12cm in length. Flowering stem 8-16cm high with 10-30 1cm long pale pink to rosy pink flowers with a white crystalline labellum in a spiral arrangement along the stem. Flowering period October-December. Rare in area; Big Tuan village; Maaroom. (Alan Logan). Previously known as Spiranthes sinensis (Queensland Flora Census 2018). Accepted name in Australian Plant Census is Spiranthes elytra. Listed as a special least concern species in Queensland (https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/plants/protected-plants/harvesting).
It has been recorded in the Wide Bay district in the Queensland Herbarium Census and is listed as occurring in the Fraser Coast region in Queensland Herbarium Wildlife Online.
Reported at 2 Fraser Coast localities: Talegalla Weir, Tinnanbar.
Fraser Coast distribution based on unverified field reports.
AVH
