Once a year it comes. Just after winter’s back is broken and the sun begins to shine here in Perth again, the bush land begins to bloom with the local wildflower season. Near the family home I grew up in is a protected bush park, and every year as kids we walked the paths with my mum and often my grandparents, looking for orchids.
Donkey orchids are the most common and the easiest to spot. They are bright orange and stand out against the duller green of the bush. They stand about as high as your knee and from the front look just like a donkey’s face with two long ears standing up from the top.
The spider orchids are much more rare and blend almost seamlessly into the bush. They are easy to overlook and easy to trod on if you aren’t looking very carefully for them. They are also my favorites and have been since I was a little girl.
Visiters to Western Australia often come a long way to see the displays of wildflowers that are so specially uniquely our own. They are often surprised to find how very small, hidden and delicate they are when they see them.
Me – I love them, and I love the bush orchid season. I hope you’ll love these too.
