Lost Hammer Orchid

Drakaea andrewsiae is only known from photographs and a few specimens of the flower and stem. Presumably it is similar to others in the genus in having a single, ground hugging leaf and an underground tuber. The stem is 20–22 centimetres (8–9 in) long and the stalk of the single flower is 10–12 millimetres (0.4–0.5 in) long. Its flower is also similar to those of other hammer orchids in that the labellum resembles a flightless female thynnid wasp however it can be distinguished by having a spine on the column, a labellum with an erect tip on the end of the "tail", and a "body" that is spotted and densely covered with hair. The sepal at the back of the flower is 10–11 millimetres (0.39–0.43 in) long and the two at the sides are 9–11 millimetres (0.35–0.43 in). The petals are also 9–11 millimetres (0.35–0.43 in) long. The insect-like labellum has a head about one-quarter as long as the body and its stalk. Collections were made and photographs taken in September or the first week of October, reflecting the most likely flowering period.

The lost hammer orchid is only known from areas between Gnowangerup and Tunney. It presumably grows in sandy soil, as do all the other Drakaea, and from evidence in photographs, possibly near granite rocks.