Sarcochilus olivaceus
Sarcochilus olivaceus, ‘the greenish Sarcochilus’ grows in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia, where it is also known as Sarcochilus parviflora ‘the Southern Lawyer Orchid’. It is a miniature orchid often found growing on mossy branches in shady gullies, in or near to humid rainforest, or occasionally, but rarely, found growing as a lithophyte. In cultivation it is best grown on a mount, frequently watered in Summer but letting the roots dry a little between waterings, although never allowed to become completely dry. Cool to intermediate temperatures in bright shade will suit this orchid.
The plant has a monopodial habit with abundant long roots, as can be seen from the images, the leaves of a mature Sarcochilus olivaceous are usually about 80-150 cms long, light green, thin, stiff, and smooth. Pendant flower stems of 90-140cms long emerge from between the leaves, each can carry 12 to fourteen flowers which all open at the same time, flowers are large and fragrant. Sepals and petals are green with faint reddish blotches whilst the labellum is almost white with reddish stripes and blotches, it has three lobes. The plant illustrated is still young and so is smaller in all parts and the current flower stem has only 4 flowers.
