Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. orientalis

Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. orientalis is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single smooth, flattened, egg-shaped leaf, long and wide. Up to seven (mostly between three and five) flowers long and wide are borne on a green, fleshy flowering stem tall. The flowers are greenish with red or mauve markings, except for the lateral sepals which are white and are well spaced along the flowering stem. The labellum has three lobes and scattered clusters of green and maroon bristles. Flowering occurs from April to May. ==Taxonomy and naming==

Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. orientalis was first formally described in 2006 by Stephen Hopper and Andrew Brown from a specimen collected at Toolina Cove near Caiguna and the description was published in Nuytsia. The subspecies epithet (orientalis) is a Latin word meaning "of the east", referring to the distribution of this subspecies. ==Distribution and habitat==

The eastern bunny orchid grows in shallow soil on limestone cliffs and nearby woodland between Caiguna and Toolina Cove. ==Conservation==

Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. orientalis is classified as "Priority Three" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife == References ==