Lyperanthus serratus Rattle Beaks Endemic
During our six week stay in Australia, Wireless Hill Park was one of the first reserves I visited and there was no sign of either Spider Orchids (Caladenia sp) which are common here or any other kind of Orchid. Three weeks later Orchids were everywhere to be seen and I found a clump of these strange looking plants.
Lyperanthus serratus is one species of only two in this genus and the odd English name comes from the fact that if shaken, the flowers rattle. There can be up to ten flowers of a spike. L serratus prefers the damper south western corner and so Perth is at the northern edge of its range.
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| Lyperanthus serratus Rattle Beaks |
Wireless Hill Park, Perth, Western Australia 21st September 2007
Added on 11th December 2010, updated 1st September 2024