20/9/2017

After having breakfast we make our way north to Dudinin which was a quaint little town but with no real prospects for orchid hunting we move on further north to a place called Jitarning. We park next to the CBH wheat bins and head into the bush adjacent. The area proves to be thick with Donkey orchids with a small patch of Pink candy orchids (Caladenia hirta subsp. rosea) found.

Pale to deep pink flowers

Upright labellum

Spreading petals and sepals with a narrow upright labellum

Labellum with short fringe segments and four or more rows of calli

The donkey orchids appear to be Yellow granite donkey orchids (Diuris hazeliae) as they are larger and brighter yellow than the ones found in Harrismith.

Tri-lobed labellum with broad, spreading lateral lobes and a broad, flattened to convex mid lobe

Bubble head

Reflexed, usually crossed lateral sepals

Visitor on 1 petal

Broad petals and dorsal sepal

So many donkey orchids but we need to move on. Well not to far as we cross the Williams-Kondinin Road and visit the bush the other side. The only orchid found over this side was the Midget greenhood (Pterostylis mutica). On walking back to the Triton we discover the area we had been exploring was in fact the Jitarning Nature Reserve.

United dorsal sepal and petals form a hood

Flowers only 4.5 to 5.5mm across

Next stop is the North Jitarning Nature Reserve a few kilometres north on the western side of the road. After parking the Triton we make our way west into the bush and our first find is the ever faithful Purple enamel orchid (Elythanthera brunonis). In fact they were everywhere in this reserve.

Up to 3 flowers per stem

Glossy purple flowers

Small membranous labellum with two large black basal calli

Spreading petals and sepals

Underside of petals and sepals spotted in colouring

Further hunting and we found some Frog greenhoods (Pterostylis sargentii) growing underneath some bushes.

United petals and dorsal sepal form hood

Green to dark brown, white striped flowers

Short lateral sepals

50 – 200mm high with up to 10 stem leaves

Then even further hidden under bushes Deb spies a bird orchid. Further specimens found, which all appear to be Dwarf bird orchids (Pterosylis sp. ‘dwarf’) as they are found between Eurardy Station and Peak Charles during August and September. We first found this orchid back in August 2016 near Corrigin.

Short lateral sepals which are joined at the base

Two close neighbours

A distinctive feather-like labellum with fine fringe segments

Short-beaked bird orchid

Further Fringe mantis orchids are found as are more Donkey orchids.

Comb-like fringe segments to labellum

Spreading petals

Greenish-yellow, red-tipped labellum

Up-swept lateral sepals

Unsure of the species of this one

Broad petals and dorsal sepal

Up to 7 flowers per stem

Lateral sepals reflexed and usually crossed

We were also lucky enough to find a spider orchid, which I am naming, Red thread spider orchid (Caladenia erythronema) as they flower August to early October in locations between Nyabing and Mukinbudin.

Variably dull red, pinkish red or dull cream to creamy yellow with dull red markings

Two rows of red to cream calli

Pendulous petals and sepals covered in deep-red hairs

We then make tracks for Kulin, to fuel up, then head off on the Tin Horse Hwy. After checking out some of the great Tin horses we make our way to Buckley’s Breakaway for lunch.

Picture stop

A Charlton Horston Epic

Ned’s Horse

PLC Piping Pony

Erosion artwork

The breakaway is massive

Harder rock than the surrounding soil

Amazing colours

On the walk from the car park / picnic area we find some Donkey orchids. Nothing else found on the walk around the breakaway, however it was an impressive sight.

Erect petals and reflexed dorsal sepal

Reflexed, usually crossed lateral sepals

Tri-lobed labellum with broad, spreading lateral lobes and a broad, flattened to convex mid lobe

2 – 3 basal leaves and up to 7 flowers

Predominately yellow, brown marked flowers

We now head further east, till we again reach Dragon Rocks Nature Reserve. At the northern end of the reserve, whilst earlier on the trip we were at the southern end. We find what we hoped was the road south, which dissects the reserve, and travel along slowly with heads out the windows looking for orchids. They proved more elusive than before but we did find our first ones. A finished Jug orchid then some Frog greenhoods.

Well past it’s best

Green to dark brown, white striped flowers

Petals and dorsal sepal form a hood

It was more than a half hour later, before any more orchids were found. Red beaks (Pyrorchis nigricans) were a surprise find.

Up to 7 red and white flowers

Short spreading petals and lateral sepals

Large fleshy, oval, dark green and red speckled leaf

Prominently curved dorsal sepal forming hood over the column

Further south we come across some spider orchids. From their appearance I will name these Chameleon spider orchid (Caladenia dimidia) due to the yellowish colouring, dark brownish tail filaments and backswept slightly elevated petals.

Petals backwards, elevated to horizontal

Petals and sepals with dark brownish tail filaments

Dorsal sepal erect to incurved, lateral sepals deflexed to drooping, petals backswept, usually elevated

Small white, red striped labellum with dentate fringe segments and two rows of white, sometimes red-tipped calli

Creamy-white to pale-yellow flowers

A solitary Cowslip orchid (Caladenia flava subsp. flava) and Jug orchid (Pterostylis recurva) were found a little further down the track, however as time was slipping away and we had previously visited the south of the Dragon Rocks N. R., we headed straight for our last stop of the day, being the Rock View Nature Reserve.

Bright distinctive orchid

Short spreading petals and sepals

United petals and dorsal sepal forms hood over the column

Green, brown and white flowers

It is now past 5.30pm when we arrive at Rock View N. R. so we quickly have a look around. First orchid I find is the Midget greenhood, whilst Debbie finds more spider orchids.

Midget greenhood

100 – 200mm high

Midget greenhood

Pterostylis mutica

From the appearance I believe these to be further Chameleon spider orchids.

Spreading petals and lateral sepals

Two rows of white or red-tipped calli

White, red-striped labellum with dentate fringe segments

A common variable inland spider orchid

Creaming white to pale yellowish flowers, occasionally with variable reddish toning

Relatively small labellum

Due to the inclement weather we did not wish to set up camp, however as we were unable to find overnight accommodation, this stop proved to be the final stop of our  2017 Road Trip.

11 orchid species found on the final day.