Pheladenia deformis (R.Br.) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.

Growth Form

Pheladenia deformis is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, sympodial orchid herb.

Root and Tuber Structure

It has a few inconspicuous fine roots, and a tuber that is partly surrounded by a fibrous sheath. This tuber produces two droppers that develop into daughter tubers the following year.

Leaf Characteristics

A single hairy convolute leaf grows at the base of the plant; the leaf is linear, 3–10 cm long and 2–5 mm wide, with a few hairs around 1 mm long, especially along its edges.

Flower Stem

There is usually a single flower borne on a stem that is 5–15 cm high.

Sepal and Petal Dimensions

The three sepals and two lateral petals are 14–20 mm long and 3–5 mm wide.

Perianth Coloration and Surface

Their outer surface usually has a small number of glandular hairs, while the inner surface is bright blue, or occasionally white, pinkish, or yellow.

Labellum Modification

Like most orchids, one petal of this species is highly modified into a central labellum.

Labellum Appearance

The labellum is dark blue near its tip and white near its base, 10–14 mm long and 4–6 mm wide.

Common Name Origin

The edge of the labellum is fringed and covered in many stalked calli, which gives the species its common name blue beard.

Column Structure

The column is 7–10 mm long and 3–4 mm wide.

General Habitat Range

This orchid, commonly called the blue fairy orchid, grows in a wide range of habitats, including swamp margins, granite outcrops, heath, woodland, and forest.

National Distribution

It occurs in every Australian state except Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Western Australia Distribution

In Western Australia, it grows from north of Kalbarri east to Israelite Bay on the south coast.

New South Wales Distribution

In New South Wales, it is uncommon, but sometimes forms clumps on the Central West Slopes and South West Plains south of Molong.