Judith Wright named her home on Tamborine Mountain, Calanthe, after the white orchid that blooms on the mountain at Christmas. The name, ‘Calanthe’, is derived from the Greek ‘kalos’ meaning beautiful and ‘anthos’ meaning flowers. There are over 200 species of Calanthe Orchid that grow throughout the world, but the species of terrestrial orchid native to Oceania, Asia and the islands of eastern Africa is named Calanthe Triplicata. Calanthe Triplicata is found growing in the humus rich soils of rainforest shaded floors, near creeks, at elevations between 500 to 1500 metres. At 545 metres above sea level, rich in volcanic soil and lush rainforest, Tamborine Mountain is the ideal environment for the delicate, white orchid’s sustainability.
Fiona Rafferty – Reminiscence (Bowral – September 2015)