Windswept Helmet Orchid :: Corybas dienemus

Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 074

On today’s show we learn about the Windswept Helmet Orchid, a critically endangered flowering plant native to Australia, in the state of Tasmania, specifically Macquarie Island in the far southwest Pacific. Its scientific name is Corybas dienemus and it was first described in 1993.

• (00:05) Intro
• (02:05) Species Information
• (19:12) Citations
• (20:56) Music
• (26:34) Pledge

For more information about Windswept Helmet Orchid conservation, please see the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service at https://parks.tas.gov.au.

Research for today’s show was compiled from:

• Bergstrom, D.M., Bricher, P.K., Raymond, B., Terauds, A., Doley, D., McGeoch, M.A., Whinam, J., Glen, M., Yuan, Z., Kiefer, K., Shaw, J.D., Bramely-Alves, J., Rudman, T., Mohammed, C., Lucieer, A., Visoiu, M., Jansen van Vuuren, B. and Ball, M.C. (2015), "Rapid collapse of a sub-Antarctic alpine ecosystem: the role of climate and pathogens." Journal of Applied Ecology, v.52: 774-783. – https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.12436
• Clements, Mark & Jones, David. (2007). "A new species of Nematoceras and characterisation of N. dienemum (Orchidaceae), both from subantarctic Macquarie Island." Telopea. v. 11. – https://doi.org/10.7751/telopea20075739
• Cockel, C. 2013. Nematoceras dienemum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T44392794A44533262. – https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T44392794A44533262.en
• de Lange, P.J. (2025). "Corybas dienemus Fact Sheet." New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. – https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/corybas-dienemus/
• Skotnicki, M. L., G. R. Copson, J. Doube, L. Gadd, J. M. Selkirk-Bell, and P. M. Selkirk. 2009. "Biology and population studies of two endemic Nematoceras (orchid) species on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island." Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 143 (2): 61-71. – https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/64591663
• Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service. (2007). Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project: Operational Plan for the Eradication of Rabbits and Rodents from Macquarie Island. Department of Tourism, Arts and the Environment. - https://www.dcceew.gov.au/parks-heritage/heritage/publications/eradication-rabbits-and-rodents-subantarctic-macquarie-island
• Threatened Species Section. "Listing Statement for Corybas dienemus (windswept helmet-orchid)". Hobart: Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania, 2017 – https://nre.tas.gov.au/Documents/Corybas%20dienemus%20listing%20statement.pdf
• Threatened Species Section (2017). "Threatened Tasmanian Orchids Flora Recovery Plan". Hobart: Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water & Environment, Tasmania – https://nre.tas.gov.au/Documents/Accepted-Orchid-RP.pdf
• Visoiu, Micah. 2019. Flora Values Assessment and Monitoring Report - Macquarie Island Nature Reserve and World Heritage Area - March 2019. Nature Conservation Report 19/01. Hobart: Natural and Cultural Heritage Division, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. – https://nre.tas.gov.au/Documents/Macquarie%20Island%20Vegetation%20Assessment%202019.pdf
• Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corybas_dienemus

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A note on accuracy: I strive for it! These episodes are well-researched and built from scholarly sources, hoping to provide an informed and accurate portrait of these species. That said, I’m a musician! I am not an academic and have limited scientific background. I may get things wrong! If you are using this podcast for scholarship of any kind, please see the cited sources and double-check all information.