About Eriochilus cucullatus (Labill.) Rchb.f.
Eriochilus cucullatus (Labill.) Rchb.f., commonly called parson's bands, is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous herb that grows from an underground tuber. This species produces a single egg-shaped, dark green leaf that is slightly rough and hairy. The leaf does not reach full development until after flowering, when it measures 15–35 mm (0.6–1 in) long and 7–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) wide. Up to five white to pale pink flowers are borne on a slender spike that grows 100–250 mm (4–10 in) tall. Individual flowers are 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long and 12–15 mm (0.5–0.6 in) wide. The dorsal sepal is spoon-shaped to lance-shaped, with the narrower end oriented toward its base; it is 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long, about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide, and forms a hood over the column. The enlarged lateral sepals are 10–13 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long, 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide, and colored white to pale pink. The petals are reddish-green, 6–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long, about 1 mm (0.04 in) wide, and slightly enlarged near the tip. The labellum is white, green, or yellowish, 6–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long, about 3 mm (0.1 in) wide, and fleshy, with tufts of short red and white hairs. Flowering occurs from December to June. Parson's bands is widespread across Tasmania, Victoria (excluding the far north-west), eastern New South Wales extending west to Grenfell, south-east Queensland, and south-east South Australia. It grows in a wide range of habitats, from grassland to forest, and from coastal areas to subalpine zones. Eriochilus cucullatus is sometimes grown in pots by orchid enthusiasts, but it requires specialist cultivation techniques.
