Corybas sulcatus

 ( Endemic Orchids Of Australia ) 

Corybas sulcatus, also known as the grooved helmet-orchid, is one of two helmet endemic to Australia's subantarctic Macquarie Island, and the second to be discovered. The Latin specific epithet sulcatus means "grooved”, with reference to the prominent groove in the labellum boss. It is a small, terrestrial, , herbaceous plant that forms clonal colony. The flower is erect, mostly dark red, 25–30 mm long and 10–14 mm wide. The flowering period is November–December. It occurs on the plateau uplands of the island, growing in wet grassy seepage areas. It can be distinguished from the only other orchid on the island, Corybas dienemus, by its dark red flowers.Clements & Jones (2007).

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Conservation status Macquarie Island is a nature reserve, a World Heritage Site and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. However, the orchid is listed as endangered on the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 because of its restricted distribution, small population (estimated in 2010 to comprise fewer than 250 mature individual plants), and projected decline through ongoing habitat degradation caused by the grazing, digging and burrowing activities of feral .Tasmanian Threatened Species Listing Statement (2010). It is classified as "Critically endangered" under the EPBC Act.

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Categories: Endemic Orchids Of Australia, Flora Of Macquarie Island, Plants Described In 2007, Sulcatus

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