Corybas unguiculatus

	Family:	Orchidaceae
	Distribution:	Widespread in south eastern Australia in heath and open forest. Also recorded for New Zealand but that occurrence has apparently been re-classified as a distinct species.
	Common Name:	Small helmet orchid.
	Derivation of Name:	Corybas...From Greek corybas, a dancing priest of Phrygia; derivation obscure. unguiculatus...From Latin, unguiculus, a fingernail and the suffix atus, possessing, referring to claw-like shape of the flower.
	Conservation Status:	Not considered to be at risk in the wild.

General Description:

Corybas is a genus of about 50 species of terrestrial orchids of which about 12 occur in Australia. Recent taxonomic revision of terrestrial orchid species has resulted in the reclassification of many into different genera. This has affected Corybas unguiculatus which is now recognised as Anzybas unguiculatus by a number of authorities. The name Corybas unguiculatus is retained here until the status of the reclassification becomes more clear.

Corybas unguiculatus Photo: John Emms

Corybas species are very distinctive orchids because of their relatively large, purplish-red "helmet-shaped" flowers. Corybas unguiculatus is a terrestrial herb which has a single basal leaf up to 30 mm long by about 25 mm wide, purplish on the underside. The 15 mm diameter flowers occur singly and are seen in late autumn and winter. The plants become dormant in summer when they die back to an underground tuber.

Although C.unguiculatus is more easily grown than many other terrestrial orchids, it is cultivated mainly by orchid enthusiasts. Generally the plants are grown in pots in a freely draining, sandy mix. They require good air circulation in a protected position of about 50% sun during the active growing period after flowering. In cultivation, the flowers may abort before fully opening if there is insufficient humidity in the growing environment. When the plants become dormant in summer, repotting of tubers can be carried out.

For further information on terrestrial orchid cultivation see Australia's Native Orchids by Les Nesbitt and the guide produced by the Australasian Native Orchid Society (ANOS).

Propagation of orchids requires specialised methods and is rarely attempted by the casual grower. The following references provide further information on growing terrestrial orchids from seed.

• Australian Terrestrial Orchids from Seed; D K McIntyre, G J Veitch and J W Wrigley
• A New Medium for Raising Australian Terrestrial Orchids from Seed; G J Veitch and D K McIntyre

Both articles appear in Australian Plants, journal of the Australian Native Plants Society (Australia), March 1973.