Desert Mignonette Orchid

Microtis eremicola is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single erect, smooth, tubular leaf 150–400 mm (6–20 in) long and 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. Between twenty and fifty dull green to yellowish-green flowers are crowded along a flowering stem 200–500 mm (8–20 in) tall. The flower lean downwards and are 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) wide. The dorsal sepal is 2–2.5 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long and 2.5–3 mm (0.098–0.12 in) wide and forms a hood over the rest of the flower. The lateral sepals are 2.5–3 mm (0.098–0.12 in) long, 1 mm (0.04 in) wide and curl downwards. The petals are 1.5–2 mm (0.06–0.08 in) long, 1 mm (0.04 in) wide and are held under the dorsal sepal. The labellum is oblong, 3–3.5 mm (0.12–0.14 in) long, 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 in) wide and turns downwards with thickened, irregular edges and a prominently cleft tip. Flowering occurs from September to November.

Microtis eremicola is one of the most common Microtis orchids and grows in arid areas on granite outcrops, on the edges of salt lakes and along drainage lines between Geraldton and Israelite Bay but is most common between Hyden and Balladonia.