About Corybas barbarae D.L.Jones
Corybas barbarae is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous herb that produces a single heart-shaped to nearly round leaf. The leaf measures 16–32 mm (0.6–1 in) long and 18–36 mm (0.7–1 in) wide, with a dark green or reddish green upper surface and a silvery green to light reddish purple lower surface. This orchid bears a single sparkling white or pinkish flower, 30–35 mm (1.2–1.4 in) long and 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) wide, that leans downward. The largest structure of the flower is the curved, inflated dorsal sepal, which is 27–32 mm (1–1 in) long and 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) wide. Its lateral sepals are linear, around 2 mm (0.08 in) long, and curve upward toward the base of the labellum. The petals are approximately 1 mm (0.04 in) long and hidden beneath the labellum. The labellum is mostly obscured by the dorsal sepal, tube-shaped near its base, about 12.5 mm (0.5 in) long and 7 mm (0.3 in) wide, and is translucent white and hairy. Flowering takes place from March to July. Commonly called fairy lanterns, this species is widespread and common. It grows in protected areas within forest and woodland, ranging from the Atherton Tableland in Queensland to the northern suburbs of Sydney in New South Wales, and also occurs on Lord Howe Island.
