07/08/2024
Well, it has been quite a while since we went orchid hunting.
A holiday to celebrate my 60th Birthday was enjoyed from mid-July to yesterday. No orchids included LOL.
So, what better place to see how the season is progressing than to pop out to Helms.
We were not disappointed!!
Esperance king spider orchid
(Caladenia decora)
Flowers: mid-August to October
Distribution: Bremer Bay to Cape Arid
??snail orchid
(Pterostylis sp.)
Un-named snail orchid species found at Helm’s
Cowslip orchid
(Caladenia flava subsp. flava)
Flowers: July to early-December
Distribution: Northampton to Israelite Bay
Grass-leafed spider orchid
(Caladenia graminifolia)
Flowers: August to September
Distribution: Mt Manypeaks Bay to Israelite Bay
Common helmet orchid
(Corysanthes recurva)
Flowers: June to early-September
Distribution: Mandurah to Albany with many disjunct populations, although Esperance is not listed as one of these
Western tiny blue orchid
(Cyanicula aperta)
Flowers: August to early-October
Distribution: Dumbleyung to Mt Ragged
Banded greenhood
(Pterostylis vittata)
Flowers: late-April to early-September
Distribution: Perth to Israelite Bay
Jug orchid
(Pterostylis recurva)
Flowers: August to October
Distribution: Geraldton to Israelite Bay
Zebra orchid
(Caladenia cairnsiana)
Flowers: August to early-November
Distribution: Lancelin to Esperance
Esperance white spider orchid
(Caladenia longicauda subsp. crassa)
Flowers: August to early-October
Distribution: Bremer Bay to Israelite Bay
10 species found with a possible hybrid between Esperance king and white spider orchids (pics below)
