Phaius australia or the Lesser Swamp Orchid is a native from North East Queensland where it enjoys the swampy conditions in Melaleuca forests.
This is an erect and attractive plant that has elongated, oval leaves that can be up to one metre or more long which grow from a crowded collection of pseudobulbs,.
The flowering stems which can reach around 1.5 metres in height and produce full clusters of four to twelve flowers in springtime that tend to be creamy white with red/brown throats. These are the largest flowers of all flowering Australian orchids.
These Australian terrestrial orchids are easily grown by everyday gardeners and although not common are not difficult to find.