Golden fringed orchid

Description

Habenaria praecox is a tuberous, perennial herb with between two and four upright leaves, 50–100 mm (2–4 in) long and 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) wide. Between three and thirty five green and white flowers, 8–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and wide are borne on a flowering stem 200–500 mm (8–20 in) tall. The dorsal sepal is green, about 4 mm (0.2 in) long, 2.5 mm (0.1 in) wide and forms a hood over the column. The lateral sepals are about 5 mm (0.2 in) long, 1.4 mm (0.06 in) wide, curved and spread apart from each other. The petals are about 4 mm (0.2 in) long and 2.5 mm (0.1 in) wide. The labellum has three lobes. The side lobes are tapered, 4.5–5.5 mm (0.18–0.22 in) long with their tips curved upwards and the middle lobe is about 4 mm (0.2 in) long. The labellum spur curves forwards and is 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long. Flowering occurs from December to January.