Bootlace orchid.

These are an Australian native which are high on my list of "exciting to find". We have been lucky enough to find several locations on our block where these appear each summer. They start out as a bare strand (hence their name) which climbs up a eucalypt tree. They have no leaves and depend on a relationship between a fungi in the soil and the eucalypt roots for their nutrients. The strands can be up to 5 ft tall with multiple clumps of flowers. The photo show s a typical strand with an inset of an early flower which has opened.

[Marnie]

How fantastic to have flora like that in your own 'back-yard'. Very exciting.

[FBailey]

This is fascinating, especially the growing as much as 5ft.

[Liana Bull]

How cool is that! I like the way you have presented this too.

[Rob Z]

@golftragic @kiwinanna @fbailey Thank you all so much for your comments. I only found these yesterday - most unexpectedly as it has been so dry. It was very exciting! Cheers

[Chris K]

how pretty and thanks for all the info.

[Rob Z]

@cruiser Hi Chris - thanks for having a look and for commenting. I find them really interesting.

[Granagringa]

Such interesting stuff Down Under...and I like all the shadows and light play in this shot.

[Taffy]

Fascinating!

[Rob Z]

@granagringa Hi Madeline - I'm glad you liked our bootlaces - they grow in the forest so it was a bit tricky to get a decent shot of them - lots of shadow - so it's nice to know that you liked the shadows too! Cheers

[Rob Z]

@taffy Thanks Taffy - they are pretty special.

[Lisa Pouncy]

How interesting. I haven't seen these before xx

[Rob Z]

@psychographer Hi Lisa - I hadn't seen them either before we bought the property at Stanthorpe. I don't know how widespread they are in Aust.

[Delwyn Barnett]

That is so fascinating!

[Rob Z]

@dkbarnett It is very exciting to find a new one! We're starting to have a bit of an idea where they are on the block - they disappear over winter so we have to be careful not to accidently damage their areas. :)