SPECIES: Vrydagzynea grayi — Tonsil Orchid
CLASSIFICATION: Endangered
Unironically named because of its resemblance to tonsils once dissected, the Tonsil Orchid is quite a rare species of orchid - the only one of its kind in Australia - found up in the Daintree rainforest and thought to grow in forest, rainforest and in swamps near river mouths. It grows stalked, egg-shaped leaves and grows a number of tubed-shaped white flowers, which barely open. So rare is this orchid, it has only been collected once in Australia - and that location has since been cleared. If any other populations happent to exist, threats to their ongoing existence may include feral pigs and weeds.
Photo: iNaturalist Australia