Parson's Bands

Eriochilus cucullatus is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber. It has a single, egg-shaped, dark green, slightly rough and hairy leaf which is not fully developed until after flowering, when it is 15–35 mm (0.6–1 in) long and 7–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) wide. Up to five white to pale pink flowers 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long and 12–15 mm (0.5–0.6 in) wide are borne on a slender spike, 100–250 mm (4–10 in) tall. The dorsal sepal is spoon-shaped to lance shaped with the narrower end towards its base, 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long, about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide and forms a hood over the column. The enlarged lateral sepals are 10–13 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide and white to pale pink. The petals are reddish-green, 6–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and about 1 mm (0.04 in) wide and slightly enlarged near the tip. The labellum is white, green or yellowish, 6–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long, about 3 mm (0.1 in) wide and fleshy with tufts of short red and white hairs. Flowering occurs from December to June.

Parson's bands is widespread in Tasmania, in Victoria apart from the far north-west, eastern New South Wales as far west as Grenfell, south-east Queensland and south-east South Australia. It grows in a wide range of habitats, from grassland to forest and from coastal areas to subalpine zones.

Eriochilus cucullatus is sometimes grown in pots by orchid enthusiasts but requires specialist techniques.

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