Hyacinth Orchid

Another tribute to a lovely coolish Spring - the Hyacinth orchids (Dipodium roseum) are just coming into full bloom, and usually they are just about finished by now.  The colours can range from a pinkish white, to a deeper pink blotched with red.  They are very attractive, and are leafless plants that are dependent upon mycorrhizal fungi associated with stringy bark trees, either Eucalyptus obliqua or E. baxteri.  This growth requirement makes it impossible to grow in cultivation.