| Onion-orchids
(Microtis) are widespread and common orchids in
Tasmania, especially M. unifolia (common
onion-orchid), which can even be a garden weed. There are
four species in Tasmania.
These species have a single, erect narrow leaf held high
on the flowering stalk (scape). The scape is erect and
unbranched and bears several to many shortly stalked
flowers. The flowers are small and quite inconspicuous,
with sepals and petals less than 2 mm long.
These species are very similar to other onion orchids, Hydrorchis orbicularis
and Microtidium atrata,
but differs in having dark swellings on the labellum.
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University of Tasmania
