Glossodia major

Common name(s): Purple Cockatoo, Waxlip Orchid

Family: Orchidaceae Synonym(s): Caladenia major
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Plant
Plant
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Leaf
Leaves
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Flower
Flowers
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Plant Properties
Origin(s)
Australia
  • NSW: NS, NT, NC, CS, CT, CC, SS, ST, SC
  • QLD: KN, KS, LE, PC, DD, MO
  • SA: NL, SL, MU, KI, SE
  • TAS: NW, ML, NE
Plant Type
Herb-Perennial
Herb-Perennial
Climate Range(s) - Habitat
Temperate Cool
Temperate Cool
Aspect Range(s)
Sun - Morning, Shade - Dappled, Shade - Light
Sun - Morning,
Shade - Dappled,
Shade - Light
Habitat Range(s)
Forest - Grassy, Heath, Open Woodlands, Sclerophyll Forest - Dry, Sclerophyll Forest - Wet
Forest - Grassy,
Heath,
Open Woodlands,
Sclerophyll Forest - Dry,
Sclerophyll Forest - Wet
Habitat Zone(s)
Dry Slopes, Heavy soils, Scattered, Understory, Well drained
Dry Slopes,
Heavy soils,
Scattered,
Understory,
Well drained
Mature Height
100-150mm
100-150mm
Mature Width
50-100mm
50-100mm
Plant Shape
Clump - Upright Open
Clump - Upright Open
Clump - Upright Open Clump - Upright Open
Growth Rate
Very Fast
Very Fast
Life Span
2-5yrs
2-5yrs
Leaf Properties
Colour (front)
Green Dark
Green Dark
Shape(s)
Lanceolate
Lanceolate
Oblong
Oblong
Lanceolate Lanceolate,
Oblong Oblong
Aroma
Spicy-Slight
Spicy-Slight
Texture (front)
Pubescent
Pubescent
Pubescent Pubescent
Leaf Width(s)
15-20mm
15-20mm
Margin
Entire
Entire
Entire Entire
Bark / Stem / Culm Properties
Colour(s) Upper
Green
Green
Texture(s) Upper
Hairs-Slightly
Hairs-Slightly
Trunk / Stem Construction(s)
Pith Continuous
Pith Continuous
Pith Continuous Pith Continuous
Trunk / Stem / Culm Cross Section
Terete
Terete
Terete Terete
Flower Properties
Gender: Bisexual
Time(s)
Winter Late - Spring Late
Flower Colour(s)
Mauve, Purple
Mauve,
Purple
Flower Shape(s)
Labiate
Labiate
Labiate Labiate
Aroma(s)
Sweet-slight
Sweet-slight
Fruit Properties
Type
Capsule - Denticidal
Capsule - Denticidal
Capsule - Denticidal Capsule - Denticidal
Outer Colour(s)
Brown
Brown
Outer Texture
Papery
Papery
Papery Papery
Root Properties
Type
Tuberous
Tuberous
Tuberous Tuberous
Soil Properties
Type(s)
Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Sand
Clay-loam,
Loam,
Sandy-loam,
Sand
pH Range(s)
Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline
Slightly Acid,
Neutral,
Slightly Alkaline
Condition(s)
Moist
Moist
Dry
Dry
Moist Moist,
Dry Dry
Poor , Deep , Shallow , Well Drained
Poor,
Deep,
Shallow,
Well Drained
Salinities
None
None
None None
Other Properties / Uses
Bee Attraction
Moderate
Moderate
Bird Attraction
None
None
Butterfly Attraction
Moderate
Moderate
Frog Habitat
None
None
Coastal
None
None
Edible(s)
None
None
Fire Retarding
None
None
Drought Tolerance
Moderate
Moderate
Frost Tolerance
Moderate
Moderate
Snow Tolerance
None
None
Landscape Use
None
None
Pests/Diseases
Slugs, Snails
Slugs,
Snails
Special Purpose(s)
Groundcover, Shade Tolerant, Shady Dry, Shady Moist
Groundcover,
Shade Tolerant,
Shady Dry,
Shady Moist

General Notes

Use in the garden or landscape is not recommended, unless they occur naturally and then should be protected from harm.

A delight to find flowering in the wild, ranging from deep purple to a very occasional pure white, but should not be picked. The thousands of seeds released from one capsule are dispersed by wind and water and only germinate following infection of the embyro by a suitable mycorrhizal fungus. Very few seeds become mature plants

Aborogines ate the starchy tubers raw or cooked.