Glossodia major

Common name(s): Purple Cockatoo, Waxlip Orchid

Family: Orchidaceae Synonym(s): Caladenia major

Plant

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Leaves

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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

Climate Range(s) - Habitat

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

Mature Width

50-100mm

Plant Shape

Clump - Upright Open

Growth Rate

Very Fast

Life Span

2-5yrs

Leaf Properties

Colour (front)

Green Dark

Shape(s)

Lanceolate

Oblong

Lanceolate,

Oblong

Aroma

Spicy-Slight

Texture (front)

Pubescent

Leaf Width(s)

15-20mm

Margin

Entire

Cross Section(s)

Concave

Flat

Concave,

Flat

Venation(s)

Parallel Multicostate Convergent

Arrangement

Basal or Radial

Apice(s)

Acute Narrowly

Base(s)

Attenuate

Attachment

Sessile

Bark / Stem / Culm Properties

Colour(s) Upper

Green

Texture(s) Upper

Hairs-Slightly

Trunk / Stem Construction(s)

Pith Continuous

Trunk / Stem / Culm Cross Section

Terete

Flower Properties

Gender: Bisexual

Time(s)

Winter Late - Spring Late

Flower Colour(s)

Mauve, Purple

Mauve,

Purple

Flower Shape(s)

Labiate

Flower Size(s) Width

50-60mm

Petal Shape(s)

Lanceolate

Oval

Lanceolate,

Oval

Aroma(s)

Sweet-slight

Arrangement(s)

Solitary

Petal Number

Fruit Properties

Type

Capsule - Denticidal

Shape(s)

Elliptic

Outer Colour(s)

Brown

Outer Texture

Papery

Seed Properties

Colour(s)

Brown Light, Yellow-brown

Brown Light,

Yellow-brown

Shape(s)

Orbicular

Texture(s)

Smooth

Seed Length

< 0.5mm

Seed Number

Many

Root Properties

Type

Tuberous

Texture

Fleshy , Pliable , Soft

Fleshy,

Pliable,

Soft

Colour(s)

Brown Light

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

Dry

Moist,

Dry

Poor , Deep , Shallow , Well Drained

Poor,

Deep,

Shallow,

Well Drained

Salinities

None

Other Properties / Uses

Bee Attraction

Moderate

Bird Attraction

None

Butterfly Attraction

Moderate

Frog Habitat

None

Wood Density

N/A

Coastal

None

Edible(s)

None

Fire Regeneration(s)

Seed, Tubers

Seed,

Tubers

Fire Retarding

None

Drought Tolerance

Moderate

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

Snow Tolerance

None

Smog Tolerant

Poor

Indigenous Use(s)

Tubers

Landscape Use

None

Street Use

None

Commercial Use(s)

None

Pests/Diseases

Slugs, Snails

Slugs,

Snails

Special Purpose(s)

Groundcover, Shade Tolerant, Shady Dry, Shady Moist

Groundcover,

Shade Tolerant,

Shady Dry,

Shady Moist

Propagation

Fresh Seed

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.

Propagation Notes

Fresh Seed

Flowering

Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

Seed Collecting

Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Sowing

Sep, Oct, Nov

Material Preparation

Best if flowers are marked when visible so that the seed head can be more easily found. Pick and place in a paper bag to allow to dry. the seed comes out of the pod readily. Store in a cool, dark place.

Propagating Mix

2 parts coarse washed sand + 1 part rich loam + 1 part coarse composted redgum saw dust + 1 part compsosted leaf mulch (mouldy), mix together and keep moist

4.5 parts Premium Potting Mix (without fertiliser) + 5 parts coarse washed sand + 0.5 parts composted leaf litter, mix together and keep moist. A small amount of blod and bone fertiliser may be added.

Humus collected from around near the orchid plants are growing added to the soil mix may encourage mycorrhizal fungus activity.

Treatment

Using 100 - 120 mm pots to start, fill with moist potting mix. Sprinkle the very fine seed over the surface and cover with a fine layer of leaf compost, water in or heavily mist, so as to not wash away seed with smoked water. Place in an area that is in dappled shade and keep moist by misting regularly. Ensure as the days get warmer into summer general overhead watering is not undertaken but the soil should just be moist.

If a hot house is available, place on 21° heated bed with misters. Maintain hothouse environment between 30-50% humidity and temperature between 20-34° C. Keep in indirect light 50-60% shade.

Viable seeds/gram:-

Germination time:- 2 - 3 weeks

Pricking out:-

Tube Mix:- Premium Seed Raising Mix

2 parts Premium Seed Raising Mix (to retain moisture) x 1 part washed sand

Notes

A lot of research is being undertaken by the Royal Botanical Gardens Victoria in propagating terrestrial orchids. Understanding which mycorrhizal fungus interacts with the different orchids.

Repotting and dividing the tubers of the orchids is best done in Dec. / Jan. when the orchid is dormant, leaving half the old soil with the mycorrhizal fungus with the plant to colonise the new soil.

It can be 2 -3 seasons before a flower will form on new seedling plants.

Ideally these species are propagated in a sterile environment in a lamina flow cabinet and until a little more research is done on mycorrhizal relationships, a little bit of praying.