Dipodium roseum

Rosy Hyacinth Orchid

Family: Orchidaceae

The Hyacinth orchid is a saprophyte, which means it is a leafless plant which obtains nourishment from decaying wood or plant matter, usually in association with a fungus.

D. roseum used to be in D. punctatum which then was split up into D.
roseum and D. punctatum. D. roseum is generally more common than D. punctatum, which does not grow in Lane Cove National Park.

Dipodium roseum has a green to blackish fleshy stem 40-80cm high, with up to 50 pale pink flowers, with small darker pink splotches. The petals and sepals have recurved tips. The labellum or tongue has dark lines. The colour of the stem and the flowers distinguish it from its cousin Dipodium variegatum.

It prefers dry sandy soils in coastal forests, but grows in a variety of habitats.

Dipodium roseum flowers from November to January.