Bushwalk (some pics)

[Bushwalk (some pics)]

Are you positive they are Acacia obtusifolia ?

and you've got Persoonia levis there

and Acacia suaveolens these have the most amazing smelling flowers in winter lovely small shrub

nice pics by the way

[Hyacinth orchid (Dipodium punctatum)]

Hi there,

Will try and answer as many of your queries here as I can, will start by saying that Tea Trees are not Eucalypts they are a different genus [Leptospermum] but are infact in the same family MYRTACEAE. Eucalypts are Eucalyptus. As for the Dipodium puctatum not growing near the host species, well Eucalyptus spp. are known for their extensive root runs and for example a rare and vulnerable Eucalyptus camfeldii from the sydney region has been known to have extensive lignotubers up to a staggering 20m across!

The symbitioc fungus would most probably be Mycorhizza, but will do a bit of research on this because this has got me interested, am fairly certain there is a common Mycorhizza associated with Eucalyptus sp. I'd say it is quite possible for them to grow in association with other types of Mycorhizza but will do some research on this too. I usually see Dipodium puctatum growing near Eucalyptus spp. and sometimes the close allies Angophora spp. & Corymbia spp. and sometimes not.

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Dipodium punctatum is a leafless saprophyte which although very desirable is not amenable to cultivation as it requires a certain fungus relationship [What is this mysterious fungus?] to live successfully & also (a "mycoparasitic" orchid)

saprophyte:

an organism deriving its nourishment from dead organic matter and usually lacking chlorophyll. cf. parasite.

ah-ha! So this would explain why it feeds on Mycorhizza [just found this out]

Hope this helps a bit

And a note to prophet, I don't like to preach but you really shouldn't collect wild orchids from the bush as many of them are protected species and have been collected heavily which has put them in a vulnerable position