After what seems like forever, we finally get back to check out Helms Arboretum to see what is flowering in mid-September.
As expected, we are not disappointed with many different species found.
Listed in no particular order are the orchids found grouped together for recording purposes.
Purple enamel orchid
Elythranthera brunonis
Flower: Aug to early Nov
Cowslip orchid
Caladenia flava subsp. flava
Flower: Jul to early Dec
Little pink fairy
Caladenia reptans subsp. reptans
Flower: Jul to early Oct
Un-named hybrid orchid
Caladenia flava x C. reptans
Parents flower: July to early Oct / Dec
Lemon-scented sun orchid
Thelymitra antennifera
Flower: Jul to Oct
?? snail orchid
Pterostlyis sp.
Unsure of ID.. Possibly the un-named species assigned to Helms Arboretum
Bee orchid
Diuris laxiflora
Flower: Sept to early Nov
Common bee orchid
Diuris decrementa
Flower: Late Aug to early Nov
Red beaks
Pyrorchis nigricans
Flower: Aug to Oct
Un-named hybrid orchid
Thelymitra antennifera x T.graminea
T. antennifera flowers: Jul to Oct
Shy sun orchid
Thelymitra graminea
Flower: Sept to mid-Nov
Esperance king spider orchid
Caladenia decora
Flower: Mid-Aug to Oct
Heberle’s spider orchid
Caladenia heberleana
Flower: Sept to Oct
Un-named hybrid spider orchid
Caladenia decora x C. longicauda
I have decided name this hybrid the Esperance spider orchid due to both parents being names Esperance King and Esperance White respectively.
Flower: Aug to Oct
Rattle Beaks
Lyperanthus serratus
Flower: Sept to Nov
Zebra orchid
Caladenia cairnsiana
Flower: Aug to early-Nov
Esperance white spider orchid
Caladenia longicauda subsp. crassa
Flower: Aug to early-Oct
?? spider orchid
Caladenia sp.
Appears to be further Caladenia longicauda. However, they do not have the usual white colouring or the red labellum of a C.decora hybrid.
Esperance white spider orchid
Caladenia longicauda subsp. crassa
Hypochromic variant
Common mignonette orchid
Microtis media subsp. media
Flower: Sept to Jan
Well, it was an amazing day out in the Arboretum, with the finds including 3 different hybrids and a hypochromic variant.
Species from 8 different genera were located which confirms this location to be one of the premier spots in the SE Coastal area of WA.
Unfortunately, in the summer of 2024/25 an uncontrolled bush fire destroyed large areas of the arboretum and to this day (12/06/2026 it is closed to the public.
Fingers crossed it will be open before the 2026 season is finished.
