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Well I have finally decided to take the leap and record my orchid travels, discoveries and photos in a BLOG

Well I have finally decided to take the leap and record my orchid travels, discoveries and photos in a BLOG so that others may choose to join in my adventures, looking for what I feel are an amazing family of flowering plants that have so many varieties, colours, shapes and sizes that one can not help but be amazed by them. In Western Australia there are two distinct areas that native orchids are found. The South West of Western Australia and in the north starting in the Kimberley.  My BLOG will focus on the South West terrestrial orchids due to the massive size of my home state of Western Australia.

Orchidaceae is the family name in scientific speak however I will be using the common name of “Orchid” in my posts. In Western Australia the South West orchid territory ranges from  Shark Bay in the Midwest  on a diagonal line to Kalgoorlie in the Goldfields and eastwards to Eyre on the Nullarbor plain including the entire South West,  Great Southern, South Coastal and Wheatbelt regions.

In this Southern region 28 different genera and over 400 species are found with many yet to be formally named, so as you can imagine tracking down all of these will provide years of adventures for me to fill up my BLOG.

Please note I am a self-taught amateur in Orchid location, Orchid identification and Orchid photography so I would ask for your understanding if I may get it wrong, and would appreciate your feedback, notes and comments to help this little BLOG grow and develop just as my wonderful Orchids do in this great state of Western Australia.

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Cowslip Orchids (Caladenia flava subsp. flava)

Sunday search of Helms Arboretum

27/08/2017

Sunday morning fishing planned, however after a sleep-in we decide to head out to Helm’s Arboretum to check on the orchids instead. Our Southern Curly Locks is still yet to bloom so we resign ourselves to the fact we will miss it this season as we head out on our 3 week road trip in 3 days.

Next we check out the location we find our Western tiny blue orchids (Cyanicula aperta) and we were rewarded with both regular blue and some rarer white flowers.

Closer shot of white variant
A white variation
Front on shot
Family shot
Let me give you a hand

In the adjoining plot I came across a first for me. A Grass-leafed spider orchid (Caladenia graminifolia) which flowers August to September and ranges from Mt Manypeaks to Israelite Bay. I thought is was a Green spider orchid however on checking my Orchid books it proved to be a Hoffman spider orchid due to the prominently clubbed sepals and petals plus the long thin fringe segments on the labellum.

Profile shot with his buddy yet to bloom
Close-up of labellum showing large red calli
Shot showing the short clubbed petals and sepals
Straight clubbed dorsal sepal

Also in the same plot we located some Snail orchids and King spider orchids. I will go out on a limb and name the snail orchid as Ravensthorpe snail orchid (Pterostylis sp. ‘Ravensthorpe’) as they are found between Stirling Ranges and Esperance and flower August to September. The spider orchid is our local Esperance king spider orchid (Caladenia decora).

Profile shot
Small group or hood of snails
Rosette
Long erect sepals
3 stem leaves
Bloated appearance
Close-up
full flower head shot

Moving along to another plot we locate some White spider orchids. I believe there are two subspecies of the Caladenia longicauda species found. First being the Esperance white spider orchid (Caladenia longicauda subsp. crassa) which has short spreading petals and lateral sepals, flowers August to early September and ranges from Jerramungup to Cape Arid National Park. Second being the Southern white spider orchid (Caladenia longicauda subsp. australora) which has long pendulous petals and lateral sepals, flowers September to October and is found Millar’s Point to Fitzgerald River National Park. Slightly east of recorded location however it is the only White spider orchid that comes close to Esperance with long pendulous petals and sepals. The “Florabase” record 15359 includes the Esperance Local Government boundary and Esperance Plains region in it’s lists of locations, so I am confident with my classification.

Spreading petals and sepals
Short spreading petals and sepals
Large white labellum with four rows of calli and narrow fringe segments

 

White labellum with long narrow fringe segments
Long pendulous petals and lateral sepals
Side view of long pendulous petals and lateral sepals

We move onto another known location to find our little Zebra orchid (Caladenia cairnsiana) and we were not disappointed. These little fellows are found between Esperance and Lancelin and flower August to early November.

Single leaf, hanging petals ans lateral sepals
Red-striped labellum with a central band of deep-purple calli and a glandular apex
Short, hanging petals and lateral sepals which clasp the ovary

Close by the Zebra orchids were Dwarf zebra orchids (Caladenia pachychila) which are distinguished from their big brother by their petals and sepals not clasping the ovary. They still hang but do not clasp the stem.

Hanging petals and lateral sepals
Red striped labellum with dense central band of calli and glandular apex
Single, erect, hairy leaf

Another find nearby was a very white White spider orchid. Unable to ID this one but it was big and beautiful.

Such large and beautiful flowers
Hardly any colour other than slight red to the labellum fringe and dark red column
Very long petals and sepals, both dorsal and lateral

Next we move to the snail hood plot to see what is still flowering. Our first find were some more Western tiny blue orchids and then we find the snail hood. Snail orchids of unknown identity due to wrinkled leaves.

Prominently
Horizontally spreading petals and lateral sepals
Short lateral sepals
Size comparison to my index finger tip
Rosette of wrinkled leaves
Bloated appearance and short lateral sepals
Rosette of wrinkled leaves, 3 stem leaves, bloated appearance and short lateral sepals

Our last stop of the day was near the entrance to the reserve and we find the good old faithful Cowslip orchid (Caladenia flava subsp. flava). As usual Helm’s Arboretum didn’t let us down.

Cowslip orchids
Close neighbours

Coastal search

26/08/2017

Today with friends Warren and Tammy we venture out to Rose’s Beach for a day of fishing, however after arriving and setting up in the far western corner I decide to go exploring to see if I could find any orchids.

I walked to the west end of the beach and climbed up the steep coastal dune for an amazing view.

From up on top the coastal cliffs.
Blue upon blue

After taking some photos of the view I make my way upwards through the thick vegetation. Under this vegetation I spy some Snail orchids. From the location and appearance these appear to be Coastal snail orchid (Pterostylis sp. ‘coastal snail’) which flower July to August and range from Bremer Bay to Israelite Bay.  It was a small hood with half a dozen or so plants with many more non flowering rosettes.

Bloated appearance is a distinguishing feature
Rosette shot
Main man in the hood

Nothing more found on the way up, however once on the limestone ridge above the beach I stumble across some Pink fairy orchids (Caladenia latifolia) which are the first for the season. Identified by the underside of the leaf being green. These awesome little orchids flower August to November and range from Kalbarri to Israelite Bay.

Habitat shot
Coastal sunshine
Nice triple header
Standing tall …Well 100mm tall
This orchid flower was the size of my index finger tip

I then headed east along the limestone ridge and only came across 2 or 3 more Pink Fairy orchids before finding a way back down to the beach.

Two orchids found within 1 hr is not too bad especially given the very coastal environment searched.

Gibson to Myrup

19/8/2017  On a tip from our friend Deb Witt we are heading north of Gibson to check out what lies within 50km of home.  However first we have our standard fully cooked breakfast at the Esperance Bird & Animal Park and then our obligatory check of Helms Arboretum.  Just past the large green log sign at the entrance we find some Esperance King spider orchids (Caladenia decora) of various colours.

Twins
Colour variants
Close-up shot

We also checked out our Curly Locks but it still has a way to go before flowering. Fingers crossed it is still there when we return from our September holidays.

Turning east from the Coolgardie-Esperance Hwy we park opposite a patch of scrub with a small lake. Just off the road where we parked Deb spots the first orchid of the day. Donkey orchids are found everywhere on the North roadside verge. Unable to verify exact species as the location does not match any in the books. Possible two different types found as one is duller yellow with hanging sepals and the other is brighter yellow with re-curved and crossed sepals.

Front on shot . Large petals and crossed sepals
Re-curved sepals
Straight hanging sepals
Duller yellow
Twins
Crossed sepals
Slight profile shot

We cross the road to the lake side and start looking around when Deb calls me over as she has found a Hare orchid (Leporella fimbriata). This distraction nearly had me  walking into a huge Golden orb spider (Nephila edulis). The poor old Hare orchid was well and truly finished for the season.

Triple header way past it’s prime
Nephila edulis

More searching and we turn up more Donkey orchids and the first Red beaks (Pyrorchis nigricans) sprouting from the many leaves spotted. In fact there were so many Red beak and Hare orchid leaves around you sometimes could not help stepping on them.

Bright sunshine
Flower just poking through
Pyrorchis nigricans
Flower squeezing itself out
Could be a reflection in a mirror
Full orchid shot

The first Pterostylis orchids of the day were also found. Banded greenhood (Pterostylis vittata) and Jug orchid , plus of course some more Donkey orchids.

Only 1 flower head still green
Still yet to fully open, looking like a stork or bird
Beautiful big petals and this crossed lateral sepals
Growing near the rushes
Quite a tall specimen

Looking under a tallish shrub I notice a patch of Banded greenhoods so make my way under to get a photo. Telling Deb of my find I glance down and there is this very small white coloured orchid. It happened to be a small Sugar orchid (Ericksonella saccharata) which was partially opened. I grabbed some photos and then moved over to take some Banded greenhood photos whilst Deb took some of the Sugar orchid. This little orchid actually fully opened over a period of a few minutes so my next shots were of it fully open.

Just opening up
Ericksonella saccharata
Deb taking a photo on her iPhone. Great size comparison
Fully opened over 4 minutes

Pic below is of the Banded Greenwood I mentioned above that lead me to the sugar orchid.

Still looking fresh unlike his nearby friends

We then made our way back to the Triton and moved further West and turned North along the railway line. We parked up and had a bite to eat before venturing out for another hunt. Deb spied another Sugar orchid and I took a photo of the habitat it was found in and what we get up to taking these photos.

Deb down n dirty getting a photo
Full flower shot showing thin leaf
Another flower out in the open this time

Another Red beak sprouting, lone Snail orchid and Dancing spider (Caladenia discoidea) are found in this area, before we head over the railway line.

Possibly a Brittle snail orchid.. Very small rosette
Twins emerging
Another hybrid ???

Immediately we find what we thought was another sugar orchid, however on returning home and checking the photos on our computer we notice it is in fact a Western tiny blue orchid (Cyanicula aperta). These are found August to early October from Dumbleyung to Mount Ragged. We now laugh that we were so blinded to the fact they were two very different orchids, just both so small, so just appeared to be variants in colour only.

Full length shot
Cyanicula aperta

This side of the railway line proved very fruitful with many orchids found. Brittle snail orchids (Pterostylis timothyi), more Western tiny blue orchids, more Redbeaks emerging,  further Dancing orchids and even more Donkey orchids.

Western tiny blue orchid and Brittle Snail orchid
Much paler hence confusing it with a Sugar orchid
Standing tall n strong . Not so his neighbour
Stalked pointed leaves to the rosette
Nice full length shot , growing at edge of road
Showing the thick calli
Full flower shot
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Time to head south so we make tracks west until a road heading south is found. At a place where the road had been straightened we take the old track and stop for lunch. Deb spies two Dancing spider orchids and finally a Jug orchid (Pterostylis recurva) fully opened.  I locate some more Donkey orchids then on the other side of this small triangular piece of bush I find some beautiful Esperance king spider orchids. More Donkey orchids found then onward further south.

Very stiffly held petals and sepals
Little tuck under with the lateral sepals
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Profile shot
Second flower juts out from the main stem
Profile shot
Looking into the jug
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We stop as the track turns east to a farmers paddock and check around as we can see more Donkey orchids from the Triton. After looking around only Donkeys found here.

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The track itself does head straight ahead it just reduces in size and standard. Very weedy now so we cross over the creek at a granite ford. A little further along a small patch opens up to the right, so we decide to check it out.  A little patch of yellow catches Deb’s eye and she calls me over as she has found a season first Common bee orchid (Diuris decrementa) which flowers from August to November and is found from North of Perth to East of Esperance.

Diuris decrementa
Diuris decrementa

We finally make it back to the road and head south stopping a few more times but only finding a single Cowslip orchid.

Texture shot
Lonely fellow

At the intersection we make a final stop and cross the road to have on more search for anything. Deb calls me over as she finds some Esperance King spider orchids. Now the word some is a little bit understated … There are so many it is impossible to count them.

Nice big boy
Giving a bow
Such bold colours
Huge cluster of spiders
Cluster of spiders
Small cluster
Shorty

Also found in numerous clusters were Wispy spider orchids. Unsure of the exact type though.

Smaller cluster in moss
Great cluster
Another great cluster
A further cluster
Mossy cluster

Some single specimens were also found but I will not attempt to name the exact types of these either.

Red pointer
Red limbs
Tall and straight soldier
Side profile
Tall and thin
Full frontal

This final location ended an awesome day with new finds and so many orchids in one place… Nature is grand alright !!!

Dwellingup to Wagin

13/08/2017

After enjoying a wonderful lunch with my brother Geoff and his wife Robyn we make tracks for the long trip back to Esperance. Leaving Dwellingup our first stop is the cemetery. Nothing in flower found, so off to Inglehope Arboretum which also turned up flowerless. Not looking very promising, but we make one more stop on the Pinjarra-Williams Rd  in the Boddington shire to give the Jarrah forest one more chance to show us what it has to offer.

I check the South side of the road and Deb heads North. My side was burnt and I found a few leaves but nothing in flower. In a break between the noise of passing cars Deb informs me she has found some very tall snail orchids. New find for the season, Slender snail orchid (Pterostylis sp. ‘crinkled leaf’). These are found late June to September between Perth and Albany.

Hood of snails under Zamia palm (Macrozamia dyeri)
Shot of the crinkled leaf rosette
Pterostylis sp. ‘crinkled leaf’
Full length shot of the snail orchid

As I’m taking photos of the snail orchids Deb moves on a finds Mosquito orchids. As I walk in her direction I too find one which appears to be Mosquito orchid. I take photos of my orchid then head over to Deb. Her orchids are much duller and greener in colour so a closer inspection confirms we have made a brand new discovery. Midge orchid (Cyrtostylis huegelli) is the correct species as the labellum is much thinner than the broad one on the Mosquito orchid. These orchids are found July through September and range from Kalbarri to east of Esperance.

Cyrtostylis huegelli – full length shot
Dull red colour but labellum thinner than related Mosquito orchid
A greener version with more flowers in the inflorescence
Another busy inflorescence
Another full flower shot

We now move on as we have limited daylight due to the fact we left Dwellingup around 2pm. At least we found something in the Jarrah forest closer to Dwellingup. Our next stop is still Jarrah/Marri forest however is closer to Quindanning. This spot never fails to disappoint. We find Banded greenhoods (Pterostylis vittata) and Little pink fairy orchids (Caladenia reptans subsp. reptans). Little pink faires are found July to October from Northampton to Esperance.

Pterostylis vittata
Solo flower
Out comes the sunshine
Caladenia reptans subsp. reptans
Very bent over flower. It’s leaf is in the background
Paler pink

Also found are more Slender snail orchids (with the lateral sepals nibbled down) an unopened Jug orchid and Donkey orchids. Common donkey orchid (Diuris corymbosa) which are found August to October from Gingin to Bunbury.

Diuris corymbosa
Dark colouring with hanging lateral sepals
Front on shot
Lateral sepals nipped which tricked me into thinking it was another species.
Shot showing off the stem leaves
Crinkled leaves confirms species
Another one not opened

Moving along we next stop at Mud Map SE 11 location on Williams-Kondinin Rd. Here we find our first Cowslip orchid (Caladenia flava subsp. flava), in flower for the season. These are found July through December from Geraldton to Israelite Bay.

Caladenia falva subsp. flava
Herd shot

The most prolific orchid found was another donkey orchid. Small flowered donkey orchid (Diuris porrifolia) which are found late July through September from Perth to Boyup Brook, however  Florabase confirms sightings in Local Govt areas of Williams and Narrogin. Our site being in between these 2 towns I am confident of identification.

Colourful flowers
Donkey orchids have multiple leaves from which the flower grows
Group shot
Size comparison with my index finger
Diuris porrifolia

Also found were Banded greenhoods and Jug orchid (Pterostylis recurva) finally open.

Pterostylis vittata
Finally a Jug orchid that has fully opened

Moving on to another Mud Map SE 13 location which will be our last stop as it is getting late. (5.15pm) We race around for the next 30 minutes and find 8 different species which is amazing. Those already found today include : Slender snail orchid, Little pink fairy orchid, Banded greenhood, Small flowered donkey orchid and Cowslip orchid.

Profile shot
Local hood
Densely packed inflorescence
The only one found in flower at this location
Four header
Low light required flash.. Size comparison to Deb’s iPhone
Very small flower..the only one found in this location

Now for the new finds of today: Dark banded greenhood (Pterostylis sanguinea), Cupped banded greenhood (Pterostylis concava) and Crowded banded greenhood (Pterostylis sp. ‘crowded’). The Cupped and Crowded are brand new finds for us in fact. The Cupped are found June to August from Bindoon to Mt Barker whilst the Crowded are found July to September between Katanning and Wongan Hills.

Pterostylis sanguinea
Pterostylis concava – Near the end of it’s season..top flower only showing the cupped lateral sepals
Pterostylis sp. ‘crowded’ – Very dark brown white banded flowers, broad lateral sepals and flowers crowded to the top of the stem
could be either Dark or Cupped

Light is fading fast so we make tracks for Esperance. We arrive home just before midnight….

Road trip to Perth

An early morning start for the long haul from Esperance to Perth. First stop was at Pallarup Rock N.R. It was just after 7am and it was freezing. There was a lot of water around so I had to watch my step. First orchid found was a little Blue beard or Blue fairy orchid (Pheladenia deformis). Took a pic and then ventured across the flowing water onto the granite rock. Some more Blue beards found and then further

Pheladenia deformis
Side profile

into the scrub some yellow caught my eye. Donkey orchids. Now which type??

sorry for the average quality of this photo
Diuris sp. ‘western wheatbelt’

I believe them to be Western wheatbelt donkey orchid (Diuris sp. ‘western wheatbelt’) which occur July through September and range from York to Ravensthorpe. Walking back more Blue Beards and Donkey orchids are found as was a lone Jug orchid yet to fully develop.

Full length shot
Getting close to opening
Showing the beard
Cold morning dew/frost showing on this flower
Waiting for his friends to open

On the track back to the sealed road I spy one poor specimen of a Snail orchid

Covered in dew

My next stop for a quick orchid hunt is the Lookout at Lake Grace. As expected I found some Wispy spider orchids. Also as expected it is too hard to attempt to identify them all but I believe two types to be Chameleon spider orchid (Caladenia dimidia) and Common spider orchid (Caladenia vulgata). The Chameleon is found July to September from Paynes Find to Norseman whilst the Common is found July to October from Kalbarri to Esperance.  

Size comparison with index finger
Profile shot
Caladenia dimidia
Erect dorsal sepal and shorter stiffly held petals and lateral sepals
Full flower shot
Caladenia vulgata
Red variant

Also found up here were Dark banded greenhood (Pterostylis sanguinea), Jug orchid and another Donkey orchid.

Unsure of species
Pterostylis sanguinea
Group of greenhoods
Pterostylis recurva yet to open

Moving on, the next quick check was on the Piesseville Tarwonga Rd turn-off. There were so many Caladenia orchids in bud, but could not for the life of me find one in flower. In the ditch to the side of the road I  found many snail orchids, including Hairy-stemmed snail orchid (Pterosylis sp. ‘inland’) and whilst photographing them I also found some Banded greenhoods (Pterostylis vittata) and Dark banded greenhoods.

Missing a lateral sepal
Hairy-stemmed snail orchid
Solo flower
Full length shot
Nice busy inflorescence

On Albany Hwy just past Williams I was stuck behind a slow moving truck, so I decided to check out the Williams Nature Reserve. It was a promising place however I was running out of time, so a few quick checks before heading off to meet up with Deb and Kirstie in Perth.  Only found some great Dark banded greenhood specimens.

Nicely balanced inflorescence
In bright sunshine

Boyatup – 1st visit of the 17/18 Season

30/7/2017

Mid morning we head off along Fisheries Road east to Boyatup. Our first point of call is a gravel pit just past where the bitumen runs out. After driving slowly in and checking the spot where we found Redbeaks last year, we come up empty, with nothing worthy found. So we head back to Boyatup Hill ( Mud Map SE 40 ) and head in on the track. First find is a Donkey Orchid which has something foreign stuck on it’s labellum, while his stem mate has his labellum nibbled off a bit. Green Range donkey orchid (Diuris sp. ‘Green Range’).

Imperfect twins
Labellum nipped
Labellum with a foreign object wedged in

Further along the track Deb spots the first Spider orchid, so we park up and have a good look around. Western wispy spider orchid (Caladenia microchila)  is the only species I am certain of that is included in our finds, however they would all belong to the Filamentosa complex.

Note the very small labellum
Caladenia microchila
Size comparison to a 50c coin
Exact species ???

Profile comparison photos – Wispy spider orchids, unsure of exact species though.

Another profile for comparison
Profile shot

Whilst I am on the ground taking photos Deb yells with excitement. She has found the first King Spider orchid of this season, in full flower. Only the one, but a great find. Esperance king spider orchid (Caladenia decora) 

Close-up
Caladenia decora

Many more variations of Wispy spider orchids found so had to take more snaps

Size comparison with 20c coin
Only found in 3s never more
Short petals and sepals
great iPhone pic
Showing the roughness of the petals and sepals
Exact species????
Species???
Stiffer petals and sepals

Further along the track we finally find some different orchids. Deb spots the first fully formed Jug Orchid (Pterostylis recurva). A sole snail orchid of unknown species is also found.

Pterostylis recurva
Unknown species
Unknown species

Then a patch of blue grabs our attention. A Blue beard (Pheladenia deformis) which appears to be double headed, however two very close stems prove this to be two individuals flowers.

Back to back flowers
appears to be double headed flower ..not so
Also known as Blue Fairy orchid

This is how we get our photos. Very close to the subject. Wind and shadows can be tricky

Shot of a Blue Beard
Blue beard

The track is getting a bit overgrown so Deb parks the Triton up and whilst waiting for me, who is walking the track, she finds some Mosquito orchids (Cyrtostylis robusta) . A bite to eat then we both set off on foot towards Boyatup Hill.

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Cyrtostylis robusta
Profile showing pointed labellum

First finding is another Jug orchid which is nearly fully opened, followed by some more Mosquito orchids and then a Robust snail orchid (Pterostylis dilatata).

Triplet yet to be born
Looks like a pair of storks
Upturned labellum
Very broad hood
Size comparison to 5c coin

Further along more Jugs, Mosquitoes growing in the median strip of the track and Blue beards in a wet mossy area.

Darker colouring
Four flowers.. most I’ve seen this season
Lighter colouring
One open , waiting for his twin

We then break out from woodlands into open health and find some more donkey orchids and a patch of snails Fawn snail orchid (Pterostylis parva) again in the median strip of the track. Also a lone Hare orchid (Leporella fimbriata) and some more Spider orchids are found.

Enjoying a brief spot of sunlight
Pushing up into a branch
Well past it’s best
Little beauty
Trio compared in size to 5c coin
Alongside the track
Trio
Very broad labellum compared to others found today
Busy inflorescence

We now keep trekking along and start skirting the hill looking for a way up as the rocks look very steep from this side. Unfortunately the track runs out so we bash our way through and scramble onto the rock only to be driven back by a bees nest. So we push around the base of the rock and cross over a vegetated gully, where we find some Banded greenhoods (Pterostylis vittata),  to finally get on the rock.

Two quite large plants
Appear to have been fertilised

After looking around the rock we make our way to the side where our bush track is and Deb finds a likely way down. No orchids were found on the rock which was disappointing however the views are amazing. We made the way down the rocks on our backsides as it was very steep and slippery. Safely on the ground we now bash through the bush and find the track back to the Triton. More photos of Spiders, Snails and Blue Beard orchids taken on the walk back along the track.

View from the rock towards the track leading in
Nice front on shot
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Late afternoon sunshine
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Arrived back at the Triton and had a cuppa then decided it was time to head home as it is getting on to 4pm. We get back onto Fisheries Rd and head west, when we decide to check out the track just before the line of pine trees. This  patch was shared with us by Deb Witt, a fellow orchid and nature lover. A short way in we pull over for a look but nothing grabs our attention. I decide to walk ahead whilst Deb continues her search on the opposite side of the track. Only found a few rosettes before I see a flower that looks orchid like so I check it out.. WooHoo it is a Dancing spider orchid (Caladenia discoidea).

Caladenia discoidea
Profile shot
Red n green colouring

The further along we go the more we find, however some look at little different with longer sepals and colour variations. Hybrids??? It is now getting late so we turn around and on the way back we even find some Wispy Spider orchids. Then low and behold a solitary Donkey orchid. Being 5pm the light is fading fast so last photos taken with flash.

Flash again due to fading light
Very long sepals which hang down a brighter colouring
Damaged petal
Taken with flash as the light was fading fast
Side view of possible hybrid
Very reddish specimen
Appears to be waiting for his sibling to bloom
Possible 3 headed hybrid
Very long petals and sepals

Boyatup Hill lives up to the reputation of my Mud Map reference book as we found:

Green Range donkey orchid (Diuris sp. ‘Green Range’).

Western wispy spider orchid (Caladenia microchila)  

Esperance king spider orchid (Caladenia decora)

Jug Orchid (Pterostylis recurva)

Blue beard (Pheladenia deformis)

Mosquito orchids (Cyrtostylis robusta)

Robust snail orchid (Pterostylis dilatata)

Fawn snail orchid (Pterostylis parva)

Hare orchid (Leporella fimbriata)

Banded greenhoods (Pterostylis vittata)

Dancing spider orchid (Caladenia discoidea)

plus snail and wispy spider orchids which I was not confident to name and the possible Hybrid Dancing spider orchids.

Hood of Snails

23/7/2017

Back to Helms Arboretum (Mud Map SE35) to see what’s now flowering. First up we locate the one and only Southern curly-locks (Thelymitra uliginosa) and it has just sprouted so hopefully it will be in flower before our September holidays.

We then made our way to Plot 8 where we find the beginning of the snail orchid eruption, which we have witnessed in previous years. First we find Hairy-stemmed snail orchid (Pterostylis sp. ‘inland’).  

Pterostylis sp. ‘inland’
Profile shot
Front on shot with hairy stem

Also found two other snail orchid species. Unsure of the classification for both with one being taller, with 3 stem leaves but a lack of hairs on the stem  and the other being quite small stature with 2 stem leaves and a rosette of crinkled edged leaves.

Quite tall with pointed rosette leaves
Taking a photo on the iPhone
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Full length shot
Size comparison to my index finger

Also found were some Banded greenhoods (Pterostylis vittata)   with many more finished for the season.

Brighter green this one
Pterostylis vittata

Finally we head down to the western edge of the Arboretum and check out under the pine trees. Some little microtis type leaves with sprouts found and many pyrorchis leaves, some were very large. Nothing else found so we have some afternoon tea and head home.

Sprouting from small rounded leaf
Comparing size to my index finger and thumb