Ant

2019 Road Trip – Beringbooding Rock to Narembeen

Nature Reserves, Numerous days, Road Trip, Ski Lake NR, Yanneymooning NR

Waking up to a clear blue sky we have breakfast then hit Berinbooding rock for a morning walk..Oh my it is windy and cold up on the rock. We do our best to keep on the track but get a bit lost I think. The only orchid found was the Dainty blue orchid (Cyanicula amplexans) which flowers over an inland range from Kalbarri to Norseman during the period August to early-October. Beringbooding Rock has the largest rock water catchment tank in Australia, built in 1937 and holding over 10 million litres.

  • Beringbooding Rock Water Tank
  • Dainty blue orchid
  • Dwarfed by the water tank

Packed up the camper and headed a bit further east to the next stop on the Wheatbelt Way – Elachbutting Rock. We pulled into a parking area and took the walk trail to Monty’s Pass. Along this trail we found further Dainty blue orchids.

Closer to the rock we take the track to the wave feature, which compares to Wave Rock in Hyden. In the vegetation at the base Deb finds a lone Hairy-stemmed snail orchid (Pterostylis sp,’inland’) which is well past its prime.

  • Walk trail
  • Wave shaped rock
  • Hairy stem
  • Very pale

We now move onto Monty’s Pass which is a 30 metre tunnel caused by a rock slide. At the end of the tunnel we find a nice double-header Dainty blue orchid.

  • Entering Monty’s Pass
  • Monty’s Pass

We then ventured on the drive around this massive rock, however did not find anymore orchids. We did however find a rock lined well and many wildflowers.

Leaving Elachbutting Rock we head south and pull into a place called Yanneymooning Hill which is surrounded by the Yanneymooning Nature Reserve. We scout around for a bit and only found another Hairy-stemmed snail orchid.

  • All but finished for the season
  • Rosette and hairy stem

Moving along we head south to Boodalin Soak another stop on the Wheatbelt Way. Here we pull up at the rock lined well and grab lunch. This water supply was a part of the track from York to Coolgardie, which was cleared by Charles Cooke Hunt in 1865. We are in a part of Westonia Common, which is comprised of 15 remnant vegetation reserves surrounding the town of Westonia. The common covers an area of approximately 2500ha. Scouting around the soak we only find more Hairy-stemmed snail orchids, however they are in much better condition. Also there are so many pink everlastings.

We move onto the low granite rock and immediately find some donkey orchids. They must be further Yellow granite donkey orchids (Diuris hazeliae) which are found on granite outcrops between Paynes Find and Salmon Gums during the months of August and September. No other donkey orchid is found so far to the east except down near the coast, so I am confident in my identification.

  • Landing an airplane I think
  • Often form large colonies

Also found growing on the rocks were some small Little laughing leek orchids (Prasophyllum gracile) which flower over a large range from Shark Bay to Eyre during the period July to October. Also found near the summit, well Ok the highest point of the rock, is a Pterostylis from the Rufa complex yet to bloom. Too early for this one unfortunately.

  • Little laughing leek orchid
  • Pterostylis – Rufa complex orchid

Coming down off the rock and heading back to the parking spot we come across lots of Pink candy orchids (Caladenia hirta subsp. rosea) in varying shades of pink, with one only having pink tipped calli. These orchids flower during the period late-June to September over a large range from Kalbarri to Israelite Bay.

Well what do we stumble across next? A Chameleon spider orchid (Caladenia dimidia) with one of his sepals pointing in a weird direction just like the earlier found Donkey orchid with his petal. These orchids are found from Paynes Find to Norseman, during the period July to late-September. The creamy colouring of the flower and labellum provide my ID, however the similar Ironcaps spider orchid (Caladeina paradoxa) may also be the correct ID. Please provide your thoughts to assist my final ID.

Also discovered was a trio of Ant orchids (Caladenia roei) which are an inland orchid flowering from August to October between Eurardy Station and Ravensthorpe. Of the 3 found only 2 were in flower.

Next up is a white wispy spider orchid. From the size of the leaf and the large white squat calli I believe them to be the Glistening spider orchid (Caladenia incensum) which flowers from late-June to September over a inland range from Hyden to Nerren Nerren Station. I did not get leaf photos for all of them so it is possible some are a hybrid with the Common spider orchid which may have a thinner leaf.

However by far the most numerous orchid was the Dainty blue orchid. They were in singles and in big groups with a couple of very special ones found. They are pure white. Hypochromic to the max, with no colouring at all, however to be albino the stem and leaf would be white as well.

Finally back to the Triton and camper after so many stops to take photos. Not complaining though. We head into Westonia and grab a coffee at the local co-op, supplying our own lactose free milk, which was a bonus. Quaint town with their main street decorated to look like a town in the distant past. Heading south from Westonia we now also leave the Wheatbelt Way. We must drive it in it’s entirety one day.

As we had visited Merredin back in June we decide to turn south down the Merredin-Narembeen Road, which passes near the Collgar Wind Farm, which when built was the largest single stage wind farm in the southern hemisphere. Unsure if it still is though.

Now all we have to do is find an overnight camp site. Next town on the map is Narembeen, however we turn east just before there and drive out to the Ski Club. Here we set up by the toilet block, which is not working due to no water. Loving the way they name the Gents & Ladies. After setting up and lighting the fire, I go off for a wander into the neighbouring Ski Lake Nature Reserve on the hunt for any orchids.

  • Ladies
  • Gents

The land around the lake and into the woodlands was very dry and desolate so I was only successful in finding one lone orchid in flower. However it is a new species for this road-trip so I am pleased. This poor Midget greenhood (Pterostylis mutica) looks like he has had a hard life. These little guys flower from July to October in a range from Wongan hills to the South Australian border. They are also found in all other states of Australia as well.

9 species found flowering today with a Pterostylis yet to bloom. Plus the bonus Hypochromic Dainty blue orchid ensured the trip from the North Eastern Wheatbelt to the Open Wheatbelt was a successful and enjoyable day.

2019 Road Trip – Burakin to Beringbooding Rock

Datjoin Well and Rock, Mollerin (Lake) NR, Nature Reserves, Numerous days, Other Reserves, Road Trip

04/09/2019

Waking up to a beautiful sunny morning I take a quick check of the scrub behind Mary-lou’s property. I find a small spider orchid so grab a quick photo with my Samsung phone. I then head back to enjoy breakfast and a nice hot shower. Quick photo shoot with Ian and Mary-lou before I take Deb and Mary-lou back to the orchid I found. Another quick check before it is time to make tracks again.

This orchid appears to be the Common spider orchid (Caladenia vulgata) due to the size of the labellum. These orchids flower over a large range from Kalbarri to Esperance during the months July to early-October.

No other orchids founds, so we bid farewell to Burakin and make our way east along the Bonnie Rock-Burakin Road. Checking out the Hema Map we decide to detour to Mollerin (Lake) Nature Reserve. Firstly we venture down Chapman Road to the reserve but there is no real access so we make the decision to back-track and hit the reserve via the Kulja-Mollerin Rock road, which turned out to be a fortuitous decision. On the track into the parking area we spy orchids from the vehicle. Pulling over we jump out to grab some photos and have a quick scout around.

First up Deb finds some Drooping spider orchids (Caladenia radialis) which occur mostly inland from Northampton to Jerramungup, flowering from August to early-October. The drooping nature of the petals, lateral sepals and usually the dorsal sepal confirms the common name.

  • Clumping habit
  • One or two flowers per orchid
  • Labellum apex may be all red
  • Radial stripes to labellum
  • Petals and sepals drooping
  • Dorsal sepal can be obliquely erect

Nearby are two colour variations of the Ant orchid (Caladenia roei), greenish-yellow and red. These little guys can grow to 300mm in height and rare specimens have 3 flowers per orchid. They are known to hybridise with many other Caladenia orchids.

  • Reddish labellum
  • Greenish-yellow labellum
  • Curled tips to petals
  • Central band of shiny, deep-purple calli

Also found were some donkey orchids. The bright yellow colouring and the location points to the Yellow granite donkey orchid (Diuris hazeliae). Found near inland granite and breakaway habitat from Paynes Find to Salmon gums, flowering during the months of August and September.

Mixed in with these three different species were a couple of wispy spider orchids. Choosing between a few possible species I am going to call them the Outback spider orchid (Caladenia remota subsp. remota), due to the larger labellum, creamy colouring and location found.

  • Thin petals and lateral sepals
  • Creamy-white colouring
  • Leaf 3 to 5 mm in width
  • Long fine tail filaments
  • Erect dorsal sepal
  • Maroon striped labellum

Then unexpectedly we came across an old concrete sheep dipping station. These were built by the Shire of Koorda in 1944 as shared facilities for local farmers, financed by the Agricultural Bank. It was after grabbing some photos that we decided to quickly move back to the Triton and move on to the parking/camping area at the base of the Mollerin rock.

  • Jump in Deb’s end
  • Climb steps out my end

Now to check out the rock for some orchids. We cover quite a bit of the rock but only manage to find more Yellow granite donkey orchids.

  • Reflexed lateral sepals
  • Broad petals

It is not until we reach flat ground at the base of the rock do we find anything different. First up we discover some Blue beards (Pheladenia deformis), however getting a good picture of them proved challenging due to the wind. Also nearby another blue orchid is found. The Dainty blue orchid (Cyanicula amplexans) is found growing rather spindly in the green ferns under the shrubs. Struggled for a good picture of this as well. Both orchids are common inland species and flower as late as October, however their seasons start in May and August respectively.

  • Blue beard
  • Dainty blue orchids
  • Dainty blue orchid
  • Blue beard

Many, many more Drooping spider orchids where found with the occasional Yellow granite donkey orchid and Ant orchid thrown in. Some more pictures taken before we decide it is best we move on.

  • Yellow granite donkey orchid
  • Drooping spider orchids
  • Yellow granite donkey orchid
  • Ant orchid
  • Drooping spider orchids
  • Ant orchid
  • Drooping spider orchids
  • Drooping spider orchid

Leaving Mollerin Rock we head back to the Bonnie Rock Burakin Road and head east. Using the Wheatbelt Way Trail map as a guide we stop at the Datjoin Well & Rock Reserve, as a possible overnight stay. Whilst we make our mind up if we will stay here the night we decide to have a quick look around after having a cuppa. Straight up we some Ant orchids in the camping area/picnic area. These two provide a visual of the variations in colour these orchids are found.

Close by some wispy spider orchids are found. These guys are always so difficult to ID. These ones appear to be more Common spider orchids which are commonly found in clumps.

Moving into the surrounding open woodlands another Ant orchid is found, however this one is a very reddish colour with striped labellum. So what is it? After checking into my written and online references, plus asking fellow orchid enthusiasts, I confirm this little beauty is a hybrid between the Ant orchid and either the Drooping spider orchid or Common spider orchid. Due to the mostly red colouring I feel the other parent must be the Drooping spider orchid, so will be calling this orchid Caladenia radialis X Caladenia roei.

  • Red striped labellum
  • Clubbed sepals
  • Upright dorsal sepal

Also found as single specimens were the Blue beards, which are also referred to as Blue fairy orchid.

  • Dense mass of calli provides the common name
  • Single, narrow leaf

The most numerous orchid found was the Pink candy orchid (Caladenia hirta subsp. rosea) which is a widespread orchid found mostly inland from Kalbarri to Israelite Bay. Flowering season is also quite long, from late-June to September. They range in colour from pale to deep pink, however we found one that was white. This one lacked the pink colour, so is a hypochromic specimen which some refer to as lutea.

  • Petals and lateral sepals curl at the tip
  • Single broad leaf
  • Short fringes to labellum
  • Deep pink version
  • Pink tipped calli
  • Clumping habit
  • Hypochromic specimen
  • Total lack of pink colouring

Finally moved over to check out the well and go for a short walk up to the rock. Close to the well we came across more Drooping spider orchids in good clumps. On the rock however we only came across some donkey orchids. Location should point to them being further Yellow granite donkey orchids, however the lateral sepals are just hanging, so I will leave the naming to others. Feel free to offer your thoughts.

  • Drooping spider orchids

Well, it is now after 4 and we need to decide if we will camp here the night. The camp ground here is rather small and uneven and there is already a caravan set up, so we decide to move on to the next camping stop on the Wheatbelt Way. Beringbooding Rock provides much more space to camp so we set up the camper, collect wood and start the fire, then enjoy a well earned rest.

Another wonderful day spend it the great outdoors. 8 orchid species found plus 1 hybrid and 1 hydrochromic orchid.

2019 Road Trip – Caron Dam Reserve to Burakin

Latham NR, Nature Reserves, Numerous days, Road Trip, Xantippe NR

03/09/2019

Destination unknown we head off south down the Mullewa Wubin road. Just past Latham we turn east and pull into the Latham Nature Reserve for a quick look. We both head into the reserve in different directions. After looking around and into the reserve a bit we conclude that the only orchids are the ones on the verges with the roads. On one verge we find some Hairy-stemmed snail orchids (Pterostylis sp. ‘inland’) which are located between Kalbarri and Balladonia during the months of June to September. Common inland snail orchid which is extremely variable in appearance.

  • The Hairy stem

Another species found on this verge is the Ant orchid (Caladenia roei) which flowers August to October in locations from Eurardy Station to Ravensthorpe. They are the most widespread of the so called Small spider orchids.

  • Long hairy thin leaf

On the other verge we found a Dainty blue orchid (Cyanicula amplexans) which occur inland from Kalbarri to Norseman during the months of August to early October.

We move further south to the Maya Nature Reserve however did not find any orchids in our quick check so moved onto the siding of Maya where we took the time to check on their historical display. The townsite was gazetted in 1913 and is now only a receival point for CBH. A world record was set in 2003 when 55 headers harvested a paddock at the same time.

From Maya we head south again, before venturing into Buntine Rock (Mud Map N 38), which as the name suggests is near the small town of Buntine. It is not however located in the nearby Nature Reserve. We have visited this spot previously so parked up and immediately headed onto the flat granite area. Some beautiful Lemon-scented sun orchids (Thelymitra antennifera) were found in flower. These orchids flower from July to October in locations between Shark Bay and Israelite Bay.

More yellow orchids are found, however these are from a different genus. The Pale donkey orchid (Diuris pallescens) is found which flowers from late-august to late-September between Moora and Minganew. This location is a bit further east however recordings have been logged in Atlas of Living Australia, so I am happy with this identification. Other donkey orchids found though appear to be the Dainty donkey orchid (Diuris refracta) as the flowers are much more colourful, petals are broad and rounded, plus the lateral lobes to the labellum are narrower. East of recorded location, Bindoon to Northampton and they flower late-July to early-September, so I may be in error, so please correct me if wrong.

  • Pale donkey orchid
  • Diuris basal leaves
  • Dainty donkey orchid

Moving on we stumble across a nice trio of Ant orchids in the midst of the donkey orchids. The fourth orchid is still in bud.

Then an exciting find is made. Our first dragon orchid of the season is found growing underneath the shrubbery. The Narrow-lipped dragon orchid (Caladenia mesocera) flowers from August to early-October in inland locations from Pingrup to Paynes Find. This is the first time we have found this orchid species so very excited indeed.

  • Single, broad, hairy, ground hugging leaf
  • Different colour – minimal red striping

Our attention is then drawn back to the donkey orchids which are everywhere.

  • Pale donkey orchid
  • Pale donkey orchid – Profile
  • Pale donkey orchid – 110mm in height only
  • Pale donkey orchid – Clumping habit
  • Pale donkey orchid
  • Dainty donkey orchid
  • Dainty donkey orchids

Some of the donkey orchids are brighter yellow, so appear to possibly be another species. I will call these ones the Yellow granite donkey orchid (Diuris hazeliae) which flower during August and September on inland granite and breakaway habitat from Paynes Find to Salmon Gums.

  • Yellow granite donkey orchid
  • Yellow granite donkey orchids

Also discovered a patch of Kalbarri cowslip orchids (Caladenia flava subsp. maculata). As they appear to be covered in blotches rather than regular patterns, I am confident in this classification. Maybe to ones found yesterday near Eneabba were also Kalbarri cowslips. If so please correct me an I will go back and edit that post. A little south of Perenjori which is listed as their southern boundary, however sightings in Atlas of Living Australia confirm Buntine Rock as a location. These orchids flower from July to early-September as far north as Shark Bay.

  • Kalbarri cowslip orchid
  • Kalbarri cowslip orchid.
  • Kalbarri cowslip orchid
  • Kalbarri cowslip orchid.
  • Kalbarri cowslip orchids
  • Kalbarri cowslip orchid

We climbed to the top of Buntine Rock for the 360 degree views then made our way back to the Triton and camper. On the way we find further Ant and Dainty Blue orchids.

  • Ant orchid
  • Dainty blue orchid
  • Ant orchids
  • Dainty blue orchid

Leaving Buntine Rock we head south to Dalwallinu, where we have a counter meal in the local pub, before shopping for some supplies. Now we head east on the Dalwallinu-Kalannie road, taking a detour into the Xantippe Nature Reserve and park up at the water tank. The water tank was constructed in the 1920’s to supply water to Dalwallinu however due to issues pumping the water over the surrounding hills , this was abandoned with water being used by the local farmers instead.

Xantippe tank

It is now around after 3pm, so we have a quick look around the granite near the tank. More Ant orchids and Lemon-scented sun orchids are found.

  • Ant orchids
  • Ant orchids.
  • Lemon-scented sun orchid
  • Lemon-scented sun orchid

Then a little orchid is found and on closer inspection, further Little laughing leek orchid (Prasophyllum gracile) are found. These little guys flower from July to October over a vast range from shark Bay to Eyre. They vary from the standard yellowy-green colouring to purplish.

  • Little laughing leek orchid
  • Little laughing leek orchid – Purplish version

Now time to move on and get to our newly chosen overnight stop. We are popping in on my cousin Mary-lou in Burakin, where she is now the sole resident. Pulling up we find a caravan already set -up so were unsure if we would be able to stay. However the caravan was another cousin, in fact Mary-lou’s eldest brother Ian and his wife. So it was a great reunion given I have no memory of every meeting Ian before this. It turns out he is the oldest male and I am the youngest male of the fraternal side of our families. Fancy that!!

10 species found today, so we hit the sack happy.

2018 Road Trip – Holland Track and Beyond – Day 15 – Our Last Day :(

Numerous days, Road Trip

07/09/2018

You could not ask for a better morning. Bright sunshine and beautiful blue sky. What better way to start the day than bacon and eggs on Deb’s campfire baked bread.

Breakfast of champions
Leaving camp

We head South from the campground and skirt around north of Peak Eleanora towards Dog Rock. This track provided us one last reminder of the Holland Track – Bog holes. Rather than continue to Dog Rock we turn North at the first intersection and travel up to Lake King – Norseman Road. After travelling due West north-west for a while we reach a sharp turn to the South south-west. At this turning, we stop at Ninety Mile Tank, which was once covered by a tin roof but is now in need of some tender loving care.

Peak Charles Road
Ninety Mile Tank

You would not have known we were on a gazetted road as the state of it was atrocious. Well in the Shire of Esperance it was very poor but upon crossing the shire boundary into Shire of Ravensthorpe it improved greatly. Onwards through Frank Hann National Park to Lake King. We called into the tavern for a counter meal. After a feed and a beer it was time to say goodbye to Richard who is heading home to Port Kennedy.

We however have one last orchid patch to visit before we head home. Pallarup Nature Reserve is one of our favourite spots. Just like Helms Arboretum it rarely disappoints. Turning off the Newdegate-Ravensthorpe Road into Pallarup Rocks, Debbie immediately spots a Jug orchid (Pterostylis recurva) which we haven’t seen since day 4 of this Road Trip. Close by a double-headed Frog greenhood (Pterostylis sargentii) was found.

Jug orchid
Frog greenhood

Since I am out of the Triton I decide to walk the rest of the way to the parking area whilst Deb slowly drives in. I am busy taking a photo of a Sugar orchid (Ericksonella saccharata) when Deb heads off into the bush, south of the track. She has seen many orchids in an area we have never checked out before. She is not wrong. Only a short way in I find a trio of Cream spider orchids (Caladenia horistes) which flowers August to early October in a range from Fitzgerald River National Park to Balladonia. The spreading petals and lateral sepals and relatively large labellum are tell-tale signs, even though the sepals are light cream in colour.

Sugar orchid
Cream spider orchid

However what Deb had found was many Pink candy orchids (Caladenia hirta subsp. rosea). I stumble across a light pink version and a Dark banded greenhood (Pterostylis sanguinea), the first in a while as well.

Pink candy orchid
Dark banded greenhood

Then some other spider orchids comes into view. These are much more yellow in colour and confirm this as a location of Cream spider orchids.

Cream spider orchids
Cream spider orchid

Finally get to where Debbie has discovered her bright pink candy orchids. They are beautiful.

Pink candy orchid
Pink candy orchids

Very close by were some Blue beards (Pheladenia deformis). So many different colours found so far – Green, white, cream, pink, blue and brown.

Blue beards
Blue beards
Blue beards
Blue beard

As we are searching new ground we decide to take the track up to the water tank and come back to the parking area via the rock. We normally make a bee-line for the rock from the parking area via the information gazebo.

Making our way to the tank track we stumble across a great little patch of Western wispy spider orchids (Caladenia microchila) which are distinguished by their stiffly held petals and sepals. The petals backswept and elevated with the tails sometimes drooping.

Western wispy spider orchids
Western wispy spider orchid
Western wispy spider orchid

First orchids found on the track to the tank were some donkey orchids. Location leads me to name these Yellow granite donkey orchids (Diuris hazeliae) however they could be Green Range donkey orchids as we are less than 100kms or so from the coast.

Yellow granite donkey orchid
Yellow granite donkey orchid

Another spider orchid comes into view. This double-headed beauty appears to be the Common spider orchid (Caladenia vulgata) due to the long fine glandular tail filaments and backswept, slightly elevated petals. These are the most widely spread of the wispy spider orchids being found between Kalbarri and Esperance. Also a long flowering period from July to mid-October.

Common spider orchid
Common spider orchid

The a completely different spider orchid is found, which I am unable to identify. It is a Caladenia hybrid, however the parentage alludes me. One parent must come from the Roei complex whilst the other is likely from the Filamentosa complex. Refer the post “Caladenia” for details of these complexes.

Lateral sepals and petals very C. Roei shaped
Labellum is very C.roei looking as well
Erect dorsal sepal and short lateral sepals
Clumping habit
Wide labellum with serrated fringe segments

Then nearby I stumble across a Hypochromic colour form of a spider orchid. This colour form can also be referred to as Lutea. This is a genetic mutation which blocks the stronger colours like reds, blues and purples thus allowing the underlying pigments to show through. These are the whites, greens and paler yellows. Exact species not known. However the lack of colours provides a very unique looking orchid.

Pure white labellum
Long wispy petals and lateral sepals. Upright dorsal sepal
Pale yellow and white colouring only

At the base of a tree we found another couple of Western wispy spider orchids, with one double-header and one that did not mature. The backdrop of the trees bark made for a great photo.

Western wispy spider orchids

One double-header 

Debbie then calls out as she has found a different spider orchid.  This one is not from the Wispy spider orchid complex. It is all by itself but appears to be a Stark-white spider orchid (Caladenia longicauda subsp. eminens) which is said to be of clumping habit. The location and size of the labellum and fringe segments allude to this classification. These beautiful orchids flower August to early October in an area from Moora to Esperance. Close by more specimens were found including a clump of 5 plants .

Grows up to 60cm in height
Broad labellum with moderately long marginal teeth

Side angle
Clump of 5 plants

It’s now 3pm so we move further along the track towards the rock. Leaning over in plain sight is a large triple-headed  Jug orchid. Then we reach the rock and I quickly check in the mossy undergrowth to see what is there. I find more Pink candy orchids and Sugar orchids.

Triple-header
Growing in the moss
Size comparison – Index finger tip

Also found were some small green orchids from the Roei complex. One was yet to open however, so I have to try to classify from the one in flower. It has small clubbed lateral sepals so must be a Short-sepaled spider orchid (Caladenia brevisura) which are found from Ravensthorpe to Israelite Bay during the months of August and September.  It was not immediately recognised due to the lack of reddish colouring to sepals and labellum.

Small clubbed lateral sepals
Narrow band of calli
Yet to fully open

So now time to venture onto the rock itself. Hang on, check out that great clumping of spider orchids. Appears to be a group of Common spider orchids.

Nice clump of orchids
Dark filaments to the petals and sepals

Finally moved on the rock proper and first orchids found were some small donkey orchids. From appearances it appears we have found two different species. The bright yellow ones with dark markings would be the Yellow granite donkey orchid whilst the pale yellow with brownish markings appear to be the Western wheatbelt donkey orchid (Diuris brachyscapa). The western wheatbelt donkeys are described as generally short habit with smallish pale yellow, brown marked flowers. They flower July thru September in an area bounded by York , Tenterden and Ravensthorpe.

Up to seven flowers per orchid
Reflexed, often crossed lateral sepals
Size comparison to index finger tip
Elongated petals
Short, broad dorsal sepal

On reaching the fence that borders the northern boundary of the rock we come across some more Bluebeards and then the one and only Cowslip orchid (Caladenia flava subsp. flava)  is found. further down the rock we also discover another double-headed Sugar orchid.

Full orchid photo
Unopened neighbour

Then finally in the scrub leading from the rock to the gazebo we find another orchid. This time it is the Ant orchid (Caladenia roei) with its distinctive smooth green labellum with dark apex. One orchid was found intermingled with another Pink candy orchid.

Down swept petals
Dense, central band of deep=purple calli
Lateral sepals lack clubs.
Pink candy and Ant orchids in very close proximity

We still have over 2hrs of driving to get home, so it is time to leave our Orchid hunting, but what a day it has been. 15 species found, plus 1 hybrid caladenia and 1 hypochromic caladenia. As previously mentioned, Pallarup Rock rarely disappoints and today was exceptional.

It was an epic effort by Debbie and Richard who drove the entire Holland Track from Broomehill Village to Coolgardie. Then to visit our favourite granite outcrop,Peak Charles plus a new granite outcrop of Cave Hill, just put the icing on the cake. 

I can’t wait to see where 2019 we take us looking for orchids, so BRING IT ON!!

2018 Road Trip – Holland Track and Beyond – Day 11 & 12

Western Australian Orchids

3/9/2018

Today we plan on taking the Woodlines track to Cave Hill but upon reaching the start of the track it appears the bushes on either side of the track have become overgrown. Going down that track would scratch the hell out of our Tritons and campers, so we make the decision to stick to the road for the 40km drive to Cave Hill.

Due to this we arrive at lunch time and find a large plot to fit us both and the campfire is still smouldering so we had no trouble getting a fire going for the evening. After setting up camp I was itching to go exploring so I sneak away for a look on the rock. 

After pushing through the bushes I reach the edge of the granite outcrop and almost immediately I find my first orchid. It is a small Dainty blue orchid (Cyanicula amplexans) which flowers August to early October in an inland range from Kalbarri to Norseman.

Purplish-mauve tri-lobed labellum with a short mid-lobe, long lateral lobes which curve over the column and almost touch
Petals and sepals similar shape and size
Ranges from80 to 200mm in height
Found growing at the moist base of a granite outcrop
Showing underside of sepals

 Within a few metres of this exciting find I stumble across some Shy greenhoods (Pterostylis allantoidea) mixed in with some Hairy-stemmed snail orchids (Pterostylis sp. ‘inland’). In fact two of them seemed to be having a chat.

Seem to be having a chat
Shy greenhood has his back to us as does one of the snail orchids

Also close by was a single specimen of the Ant orchid (Caladenia roei) which flowers August to October in a widely distributed range from Eurardy Station to Ravensthorpe.

Dark tipped labellum
Petals and lateral sepals form a crucifix shape

Further around the base of the rock I stumble across more Dainty Blue orchids, Hairy-stemmed snail orchids and Ant orchids. 

Dainty blue orchid
Dainty blue orchid
Ant orchids
Ant orchid
Hairy-stemmed snail orchid

Then just before heading back to the camp ground I spied a very small Dainty blue orchid that was very different to the rest. This one was the rare White colour variant.

Pure white beauty

White variant of the Dainty blue orchid

 I rushed back to tell the others of my finds and found them all but unpacked and set-up, so it was time to go exploring together. I showed them the Dainty blue orchid, Ant orchid, Shy greenhood and Hairy-stemmed orchids I had found, however due to time constraints we decide to move further around the base of the rock towards the 3 dams. Interestingly Debbie spies an orchid I had overlooked. A small Little laughing leek orchid (Prasophyllum gracile) is found sticking up some 50mm from it’s mossy rock home. Nearby a neighbour was found with more flowers fully open. Great eyes Deb.

Little laughing leek orchid
Little laughing leek orchid
Little laughing leek orchid

We make it to the 3 dams without any major finds then head up towards the summit of the rock.

One of the 3 dams on the Western side

Cave hill dam

Here we stumble across a few scattered donkey orchids then come across a patch of many, including a deformed specimen. Based on location these must be more Yellow granite donkey orchids (Diuris hazeliae) which we found on previous days at the other rocks further north.

Yellow granite donkey orchid
Yellow granite donkey orchid
Yellow granite donkey orchid
Yellow granite donkey orchid
Yellow granite donkey orchid

As light is fading and we need to cook dinner on the campfire, we make our way back towards camp. On the way we find further Hairy-stemmed snail orchids (with an unusual dull fawn colour) and some Ant orchids. I grab a few snaps and then catch Deb and Richard for the push through the scrub back to our camp. 

Hairy-stemmed snail orchids
Ant orchid

Another great day exploring with some great finds. The White dainty blue orchid was the highlight. Now to enjoy a cooked meal on the campfire and a good nights sleep.

Sunset - Time to cook dinner over the camp fire

Our Cave Hill campsite

Whats cooking for dinner

What’s cooking for dinner on the campfire?

 

4/9/2018

After a hearty campfire cooked breakfast, we have a lazy time around camp. Then Richard and Debbie make the decision to go exploring back towards Widgiemooltha with the metal detector. Whilst they were away I took time to rest up to fully recover from feeling unwell over the last few days. 

It was late afternoon, after the prospectors had returned empty handed, that we decide to go check out the so called cave this rock was named after. Orchid hunting on the way of course 🙂 First up we came across more Yellow granite donkey orchids  and Shy greenhoods. 

Yellow granite donkey orchid
Shy greenhood

Then in the wonderful late afternoon sunlight the cave-like feature appeared. It was amazing weather shaped rock in varying colours.

Amazing colours

The cave structure at Cave Hill

Cave Hill

More cave like structures at Cave hill

We now make tracks back to camp, whilst looking for more orchids of course. First up we find some more Dainty blue orchids but then a patch of Sugar orchids (Ericksonella saccharata) is found. Two are growing so close together I just had to take their picture.

Dainty blue orchid
Sugar orchid
Sugar orchids
Sugar orchids

Further Ant orchids, Hairy-stemmed snail orchids and Little laughing leek orchids were also found however with the fading light, no great photos were taken and as they are already pictured in the post I will not add any more. However I must share one more shot of the “Cave” in the light of sunset. The colour change to the earlier photo is amazing.

Sunset colours

Cave Hill Nature Reserve

As has become usual practise we have a campfire cooked dinner then hit the sack.

7 orchid species found at this location which is not too shabby.

The white Dainty blue orchid was by far the most exciting find of the trip so far. 

 

2018 Road Trip – Holland Track and Beyond – Day 5

Numerous days, Road Trip

28/08/2018

Another beautiful morning, so what better way to start than to go orchid hunting. We all make tracks for Emu Rock as it was too dark yesterday to check it thoroughly. First find for me was a rare double-headed Sugar orchid (Ericksonella saccharata) whilst Deb was checking out the small Hairy-stemmed snail orchids (Pterostylis setulosa) I had found yesterday. 

Siamese twins
Rare double headed flower
Size comparison

Close by I found another Chameleon spider orchid (Caladenia dimidia) whilst Deb found a Blue beard (Pheladenia defromis).  

Red striped labellum with red-tipped calli
Surreal photo

Whilst taking Deb and Richard back to the Chameleon spider orchids I found yesterday other orchids were found. Mallee Banded Greenhood (Pterostylis arbuscula), Hairy-stemmed snail orchids and Sugar orchids.

Newly named species
Great family shot
Very long lateral seapls

Further shots taken of the Chameleon spiders then on the way back to the Tritons, I found another double header Sugar orchid. 

Another rare double header
Great colours
Striped labellum

Time to continue our trek along the Holland Track. We make our way north back to the Hyden – Norseman Road where we start the official Holland Track to Coolgardie. What lies ahead is unknown !!!!!

The start of the track

Hyden – Norseman Road – Our Starting point of the Track proper

 Following the trip notes our first stop will be Sheoak Rock just off the track at the 12.53km mark. However, after around 10kms we pull over as Deb has spied a Frog greenhood (Pterostylis sargentii). Whilst I was taking photos, she also finds a Sugar orchid nearby.  

Pinched dorsal sepal
Thin pointed stem leaves. Up to 10 in number

We move on to Sheoak rock which is a few hundred metres North of the track proper. It was wet and muddy however we park up and go for a wander. On the high point of the rock was a Trig Station (Triangulation/Trigonometrical) made of metal which is nice piece of history. Whilst getting some photos it started to rain so we made our way back to the Tritons for shelter. Making our way out of Sheoak Rock I cross through a patch of bush and come across some Sugar orchids. 

Standing proud
Growing near a burnt out log. Around 7 or 8 in flower closeby
View from Trig Station

Back on the track we pass a Telecom Tower (reception still) at the 15.25km point and reach Native Rocks at the 15.69km point where we park up for lunch. Whilst Deb and Richard put the kettle on and rustle up some grub I go for a scout. First off is another Sugar orchid but then I stumble across a very tall Frog greenhood growing out in the open on granite.

So far the most plentiful orchid on the Holland Track
Standing a good 200mm in height
Growing in a very exposed area on granite

After a quick bite to eat I check the other side of the track where I find spider orchids yet to open.. Oh bugger we may be too early !!!! 

Oh no !!! Are we too early ?
Lunch stop.

However, luck is on my side, and I find some flowering… Now the hard part getting a good photo then working out which species. From the looks they are possible Pendant spider orchids (Caladenia pendens subsp, pendens) due the size of the labellum and length of petals and sepals.

Full flower shot
Broad labellum
Red striped labellum
The sepals and petals have long, brown, drooping, thread-like tips.

Leaving Native Rocks we follow the trip notes for another 6.33km to our next stop of Wattle Rocks. We did get more puddles to cross on the way.

Another muddy puddle to cross

Here we go again and again and again…….. So many bog holes

Parking up at Wattle Rocks Deb immediately spots some orchids. Some very small Dwarf zebra orchids (Caladenia pachychila) are on the edge of the track, in danger of getting run over or trampled. These little beauties flower July to September in a large inland range from Nerren Nerren Station and Mt Ragged. 

Full plant shot
Prominent glandular apex to labellum

Then a few metres away there was the biggest clumping of Ant orchid (Caladenia roei) I have ever seen.  They were an amazing sight.

Ground level shot
Nice clump of ants

Smooth labellum
Not colony forming but can form clumps

Further afield we find what appears to be a Hybrid. Possible parents are Caladenia roei , Caladenia pachychila, Caladenia dimidia or Caladenia vulgata. An attractive small spider orchid.

Parents unknown
Labellum does not match any descriptions in my references

Another new orchid found; this time it appears to be a Drooping spider orchid (Caladenia radialis) which must be getting very close to its eastern extremity. 

Drooping petals and lateral sepals with often drooping dorsal sepal.
Cream, prominently red-striped, shortly-fringed or smooth-margined labellum

two bands of red or cream calli
Great full plant shot

Other orchids found included Blue beard, Sugar orchid, Dwarf zebra orchid and the Western wispy spider orchid (Caladenia microchila) which is found between Kondinin and Madura during the months of July to early October. 

Slenderish petals and seapls
Full plant shot
Growing in moss
Three mates
Standing tall
Deep purple calli
Small labellum
Eastern from has long pendulous petals and lateral sepals
Side view

What a great spot little spot this is, but we must move on. Next stop is 1.86km further along, at a Mallee fowl nest which appears to be in current use.  

Mallee fowl nest

Large nesting mound

We had planned on getting to Mount Holland to camp but at our current travelling speed it will be dark before we get there, so we decide to look for a suitable camping spot along the way. We find a place just past a big slippery mud hole and set up camp. We light the obligatory campfire and cook some dinner. 

Camp ground before the storm

Getting ready to cook dinner

Luckily we chose to camp earlier as a massive thunderstorm hits and we rename our camping ground “The mud camp”, as the track is now a much muddier, wetter and more slippery than it was. Tomorrow will be interesting going.

Hard mud but slippery
Same track the next morning after our overnight thunderstorm . No longer hard dry mud, now sticky, slippery wet mud

Was a successful orchid hunting day (12 species), but not so successful in travelling the distance we had planned. Achieved less than 30kms today as the Holland Track is proving more challenging than anticipated.

2018 Road Trip – Holland Track and Beyond – Day 4

Numerous days, Road Trip

27/8/2018

Waking up to a beautiful sunny morning, we eat breakfast around our campfire, pack up the campers then go exploring Dragon Rocks.

Dragon Rocks campsite

Beautiful sunny blue skies for breakfast

Close by the camp ground we stumble across some very small Blue beards (Pheladenia deformis). Solitary ones no clumps.

Upright labellum
Short spreading petals and sepals
Ground up view
Full flower shot

Next up we find a solitary donkey orchid which due to the location it must be a Yellow granite donkey orchid (Diuris hazeliae).

Broad petals and dorsal sepal
Formally named in 2013
Diuris hazeliae

Moving north away from the granite rock I spied a patch of pink. On closer inspection a great bunch of Pink candy orchids (Caladenia hirta subsp. rosea), which flower late June to September in locations between Kalbarri and Israelite Bay, were found. One of the orchids had little colour with pink calli and fringe segments to labellum and yellow tips to petals and sepals. Known as Lutea form.

Similar sized petals and lateral sepals
Upright dorsal sepal and labellum
Stand up to 250mm in height
View from orchid height
Lack of pink pigment = Lutea form

Also found nearby were Sugar orchids (Ericksonella saccharata) and some wispy spider orchids. The first orchid appears to be the Common spider orchid (Caladenia vulgata) due to its thin leaf and long fine glandular tail filaments. A wide ranging orchid from Eurardy to Israelite Bay, flowering during the months of August through October. 

Trio
Purple faced white orchid
Size comparison to index finger tip
Long fine glandular tail filiments
Leaves up to 4mm thick

However the next group of spiders is different, with shorter petals and sepals. They appear to be Chameleon spider orchids (Caladenia dimidia), which we also found yesterday. 

View from orchid height
Red-striped labellum
Index finger for size comparison
Dorsal sepals to attention

Back on the rock itself we come across some Little laughing leek orchids (Prasophyllum gracile), which flower July to October ranging from Shark Bay to Eyre. 

Full orchid shot
Erect lateral sepals
Flowers are upside down
Up to 40 flowers per orchid
Single smooth, tubular leaf
Shallow soil pockets on inland granite outcrops

Also found more Sugar orchids and spider orchids

Appears to have been nibbled at
White petals and sepals

The spider orchids were again different to the ones previously found , however I think the reddish one to be another Chameleon spider orchid.

Scrunched up appearance
Full plant shot

However the larger white spider orchid appears to be the Pendant spider orchid (Caladenia pendens subsp. pendens) due to its larger labellum and very pendulous petals and lateral sepals. This orchid flowers august to early October in a range from Wongan Hills down to Walpole and was named from specimens found NNE of Hyden. 

Broad red-striped labellum
Pendulous petals and lateral sepals

We jump back into our Tritons and make our way further along the Holland Track. At the intersection of Kulin-Holt Rock Road we stop at what was listed as a Commemorative Plaque. The large rock on a cement pad with a white chain around it was there but no plaque to be seen, which was a bit disappointing. 

Holland Track & Kulin-Holt Rock Rd intersection

Rock without it’s plaque ..

From here we head further north till we reach the Hyden – Lake King Road. If we crossed this road the Holland Track continues however we turn West for the drive into Hyden as per the trip notes. It seems the track must be impassable north of the Hyden – Lake King Road. We arrive in Hyden and make our way into the town centre where we park up and make our way to the famous bakery for lunch. 

After an awesome burger for lunch, we buy some supplies in the local store, fuel up and make our way as per the trip notes to Wave Rock. First point of call was the Visitors Centre to obtain an update on the track conditions to Coolgardie. No real updates as most travellers of the track proceed in the same direction as we are going, so no word of mouth updates from those travelling from Coolgardie. In the native growth between the buildings and the road we find some spider orchids which is promising. 

They are from the Wispy spider orchid complex however I’m not able to confidently name the species. Nearby are some more Pink candy orchids.

Not fully unfurled
Nice upright dorsal sepal

The next spider orchid found though appears to be a Common spider orchid as it’s petals and sepals are not as long and pendulous as the previously found Pendant spider orchid. Further specimens are found on the roadside as well which seem to be the Pendant spider orchid and Chameleon spider orchid. These wispy’s are very confusing.

Broad labellum
Stark white version????
Possible identification
Twin yet to open
Full plant shot
Shorter petals and sepals

Then finally a different orchid of the Caladenia genus is found. A lonely small Ant orchid (Caladenia roei) next to another nice Pendant spider orchid is found on the road verge so I jump out of the Triton to get some shots whilst Deb drives further along to get off the narrow busy road. 

Smooth edged labellum
Long pendulous petals/sepals as name suggests

We now make tracks for the major attraction of this area. WAVE ROCK. We park the car and I head up to buy the parking ticket, followed by Richard. Deb checks out the bush behind the toilet block and calls us over once we place our tickets on our dashboards.

Deb had found lots of Blue Beards and some Hairy-stemmed snail orchids (Pterostylis sp. ‘inland’). Some quick shots taken before heading off on the walk trail to the WAVE. 

Purplish labellum
Neighbours gossiping
Soft focus shot
Upright lateral sepals
Green and white striped flowers

On the left side of the track we find a large patch of Hairy-stemmed snail orchids and a possible Mallee Banded Greenhood (Pterostylis arbuscula) which has been recently named and is located around the Hyden-Lake King Road.

Nice size hood
Mallee greenhood – Possible common name

Closer to the WAVE we find some more Ant orchids and a solitary Glistening spider orchid (Caladenia incensa) which flowers late June to September in a range from Hyden to Nerren Nerren Station north of the Murchison River. I get stuck at these two orchids showing a bus load of Asian tourists the orchids and ensuring they take photo’s without stepping accidently on the orchids. Once they move on so do I. 

Looking relaxed, leaning back
Close to the footpath . In danger of being trampled

Finally reach the ROCK WAVE so take some usual tourist snaps then I go into the bush looking for more orchids. I find a Jug orchid (Pterostylis recurva) and Sugar orchids. 

Sunlit
Not speaking

Nearly 3 pm so we decide to make tracks back to the Tritons. On the way we spy a great bunch of Blue beards so I naughtily climb over the rail to get a shot. At the ticket booth I find a panel showing the Glistening spider orchid, which confirms it is found locally.

Nice quad of flowers
Confirming Glistening spider orchid is found locally

Now we move on east some 50kms to the start of the Holland Track – proper. I note in our Hema Road & 4WD Track Atlas that south along the Holland Track is a camp ground known as Emu Rock in the Bushfire Rock Nature Reserve. So rather than head north and hope we find somewhere to camp we make tracks for Emu Rock. After passing through the Rabbit Proof Fence and a couple of large puddles we find this amazing grassed camping area between the large granite rock and a salt lake. 

After setting up camp and collecting some firewood I decide to go for a walk, in the late afternoon light, down to the salt lake for a quick look.  After walking along the edge of the salt lake I finally head into the bush surrounding and find many small Blue beards and Sugar orchids. 

Growing from under fallen twigs
50mm high no more
Side profile
Size to my finger tip

Pushing through the scrub and fallen trees I finally make it to the track and immediately find some Chameleon spider orchids. 

Relatively broad labellum
Full plant shot

Then on the granite rock I locate some very small snail orchids, which seem to be more Hairy-stemmed snail orchids. Light is fading fast so make my way back to camp for another wonderful night sitting around a campfire. 

Growing in the moss on granite
Short lateral sepals
Long lateral sepals
Pointy nose
Just bigger than my index finger tip

12 species found today in our trek from Dragon Rocks to Emu Rock. 

Road Trip – Day 19 – Tutanning Nature Reserve to Harrismith

Nature Reserves, Numerous days, Road Trip, Toolibin NR, Tutanning NR

19/9/2017

After breakfast we go for a more leisurely search around our campsite for any orchids we may have missed in our late search yesterday. Ant orchid (Caladenia roei), Sugar orchid (Ericksonella saccharata), Cowslip orchid (Caladenia flava subsp. flava) were again located as was one Fringed mantis orchid (Caladenia falcata) with a dangling labellum. Also found was a yet to open Thelymitra species.

Dangling labellum
Yellow, red marked flowers
No hint as to the type
Smooth margined labellum
Prominently tri-lobed labellum

We then hurried back to camp, packed up a headed back along the track we drove down late yesterday afternoon. First up were some Donkey orchids, which due to the location they must be Western wheatbelt donkey orchids (Diuris brachyscapa).

Short, broad dorsal sepal
Top down view
Broad spreading lateral lobes to the labellum

Further along we find more Cowslip orchids plus better specimens of the Fringed mantis orchid.

Shorter lateral sepals
Group with long lateral sepals
Colourful trio
No right way up to the photo, taken looking directly down onto the flowers

Spreading petals
Large green yellow and red flowers
Red-tipped labellum, with long comb like fringe segments
Upswept, narrowly-clubbed lateral sepals
Comb-like fringe segments to the smooth labellum

And finally after a very long spell we finally find another Pterostylis specimen, the Jug orchid (Pterostylis recurva).

Looking into the Jug
The glistening flower
Showing the colour variations

Our final stop along the bush track was at a small granite outcrop, where we found some Lemon-scented sun orchids (Thelymitra antennifera)  and some yet to flower Elbow orchids (Spiculaea ciliata)

Antennae like labellum appendeges
Broad, spreading petals and sepals
Getting close to flowering
Leaf is shrivelled at time of flowering

We leave Tutanning N. R. and head on down to Wickepin, where we have a yummy lunch, before heading over to visit Toolibin N. R.. On the track in we spy many Fringe mantis orchids, some with two flowers per stem.

Twin headers were common at Toolibin Lake N.R.
1 – 2 reclining flowers
Red tipped labellum
Size comparison to my fingers
Moderately long, indistinct clubs on the sepals
The lateral sepals up curved to almost vertical
Dorsal sepal horizontal basally, the curved upwards and forward
Looking top down shows how reclined the flowers are. Twins on one stem
Size comparison of the entire plant. Another twin header

We decided to take a walk alongside the track to see what other orchids may be around. We came across Cowslip orchids, Dancing spider orchid (Caladenia discoidea) and Pink fairies (Caladenia latifolia).

Yellow flower with red markings
Small, squat flowers
Very broad labellum, with 4 – 6 rows of short, thick, crowded calli
Can have up to 4 flowers per plant
Horizontally spreading petals and lateral sepals
Prominently tri-lobed labellum
Stiffly spreading, petals and sepals
Up to 4 flowers per orchid

We then drove to the parking area and attempted the lake walk, however it was closed due to flooding from recent heavy rain, which had washed away some of the infrastructure. I decided to walk back along the track and Deb drove the Triton, which proved fortuitous as I found some Ant orchids and Deb found some spider orchids.

Pale yellow to yellowish-green with variable reddish stripes.
Lateral sepals tapering to thickened tips rather than a narrow tail before the clubs
Smooth-margined, greenish-yellow, red tipped labellum
This one lacks the usual red colouring but the calli give it away
Easily distinguishable due to the short, thick, rounded, glossy black calli

Drooping spider orchid (Caladenia radialis) is the obvious specie as it has a smooth margined labellum with distinctive striping.

Cream coloured, red-striped labellum
Reddish-brown to dark brown tails to petals and sepals
Drooping petals and lateral sepals
Red-striped smooth-margined labellum
Up to 2 red and cream flowers

Final find before hitting the Wickepin-Harrismith Rd is a great Pink fairy twin.

120 – 450mm high
Twin fairy

As soon as we got on the Wickepin-Harrismith Road we took a track near Dulbining Lake,  that seemed to run adjacent to the road and drove along in 1st gear with our heads hanging out the window looking. Some spider orchids are seen on the left hand side of the track, so we alight from the Triton to check them out. They appear to be Common spider orchid (Caladenia vulgata).

Red striped labellum
Index finger a bottom of photo for size comparison
Narrow, usually pendulous petals and lateral sepals

Moving slowly along this track we find many other orchids, starting with Cowslip orchids, Fringed mantis orchid and Pink candy orchids (Caladenia hirta subsp. rosea).

Erect flowers
Deformed lateral sepal on both flowers
Bright yellow variation

3 flowers in close proximity
Size comparison to index finger
Up to 2 green, yellow and red flowers

Deep pink colouring
Location gives up name not the colouring
Pale pink colouring
Labellum with short fringe segments and four or more rows of calli
Short, spreading petals and lateral sepals
Twin flowers
Brighter pink colouring

Then we find what we initially thought were more Ant orchids. However on closer inspection we have found Purple-veined spider orchid (Caladenia doutchiae) which flowers August to October between Mullewa and Ravensthorpe. In the middle of all these is a lone Ant orchid.

Down-swept petals
Smooth-margined, greenish-yellow, rep tipped labellum
Long, shortly-clubbed lateral sepals
Greenish to greenish-yellow and red flowers
Short petals and long lateral sepals
Greener version
Joined by spider web between the dorsal sepals
Appear to be dancing
Possible pollinator
Lack clubbing of sepals
short red calli
A common wheatbelt spider orchid

Final orchids found before getting back on the sealed road were what appeared at first to be Common spider orchids. However the flowers had much broader labellum’s and if they were fully unfurled, long petals and sepals. I am going to name these Pendant spider orchid (Caladenia pendens subsp. pendens) which flower August to early October in a range from Wongan Hills to Walpole.

Up to 3 flowers per stem
Relatively broad, red-striped labellum with serrate to dentate fringe segemnts
Broad labellum
Once fully unfurled the petals and sepals will be long and pendulous
Nearly fully unfurled
2 rows of white, sometimes pale-red-tipped calli

Travelling west we arrive at Harrismith and as the weather was looking like rain we decide to book a room rather than risk getting our canvas camper wet. Rather than a room we take the donger which has its own shower and toilet. Was really cheap and rough but was sufficient for 1 night. After unpacking into the bedroom we decide to take a drive around the self drive wildflower tour. Our first orchids were more Fringed  mantis orchids. (Mud Map SE 10)

Common wheatbelt orchid
Greenish-yellow, red tipped labellum
Lateral sepals are narrowly clubbed
Prominently up-swept lateral sepals
Spreading petals

Also found were Western wheatbelt donkey orchids, Sugar orchid and Jug orchids.

Short, broad dorsal sepal
Spreading petals and sepals
Dark green, fawn and white flowers

Back just before sunset, so we have a shower and get changed into fresh clothes, then make our way over to the Oasis Hotel for a meal, game of pool and a few drinks to celebrate finding 15 different orchids.

Road Trip – Day 18 – Walyormouring to Tutanning Nature Reserve

Nature Reserves, Numerous days, Road Trip, Tutanning NR

18/09/2017

After breaking camp we head through Goomalling to our first planned stop, Cunderdin Hill lookout. Lots of broken glass and pink everlastings with blue cornflowers thrown in, were the only finds. We made our way down to town centre and visited the famous Ettamogah Pub for lunch.

Cunderdin Hill Lookout
Cunderdin Hill Lookout
Cunderdin

 After lunch we head off towards Quairading, however we notice a sign for Toapin Weir (Featured Image) so decide to check it out. What an amazing hidden gem this is. Great granite outcrop to explore, flushing toilets, fresh water supply, gas BBQ and picnic tables. We would have stayed here the night had it not been so early in the day.

Now off to explore for orchids with our first find being some spent Prasophyllum gracile complex orchids closely followed by some donkey orchids. Location would suggest them to be Western wheatbelt donkey orchid (Diuris brachyscapa). 

Past it’s prime. By the length of the Lateral sepals appears to be a Little laughing leek orchid
Rounded to elongated petals
Mostly found East of the Albany Highway between York, Tenterden and Ravensthorpe

Next up we start finding Sun orchids that have yet to open which is frustrating given our long wait in Charles Darwin Reserve. However we finally stumble across some that have opened. The Granite sun orchid (Thelymitra petrophila) which blooms August to November from Mullewa to South Australia was a sight for strained eyes.

Distinctive column with a smooth, yellow or purple crested mid-lobe and white tufted lateral lobes
Up to 10 blue, purple or pink flowers
Size of plant compared to iPhone
Flowers 10 to 20 mm wide

 Much better specimens of the Little laughing leek orchid (Prasophyllum gracile) including single plants to small clumps of plants were found on the walk back to the Triton.

In good seasons plants are often found in clumps
Found in shallow soil pockets on inland granite outcrops
Up to 40 flowers per plant
Fused lateral sepal with elongated tips

Now we head off for our over night stay location which we have not decided upon just yet.. How unusual for us.. NOT. We bypassed Quairading instead driving through Dangin and south past Lake Mears to Tutanning Nature Reserve, located in the Dutarning Range. Totally unaware if any suitable camping site would be found we headed West into the reserve and on the drive in we spied some Cowslip orchids (Caladenia flava subsp. flava). However as light was fading fast, given it was after 5pm, we didn’t stop to take photos as we wanted to find our overnight stop first.  By chance we came across a wonderful cleared site, which must have been some sort of farm or townsite, now abandoned. We quickly set up camp then went exploring. First up we both came across more Cowslips.

Found by Deb
Found by Mike
Short, stiffly spreading petals and sepals
Regularly in pairs

Next orchid found by Deb was a Blue china orchid (Cyanicula gemmata), which flower August to early November in a range that stretches from Kalbarri to Israelite Bay.  My next orchid on the other hand was an Ant orchid (Caladenia roei). We then quickly moved to each others location to grab some photos.

Also called Clown orchid, man orchid and jack-in-the-box.
40 to 150mm high
Short , horizontally spreading petals and sepals
Deb’s photo
Single, short, broad, flattened leaf
Mike’s find.

Also found were Sugar orchids (Ericksonella saccharata) . Light is fading fast so we make our way back to camp when we stumble across another Blue china orchid.

Small tri-lobed labellum
Short, horizontally spreading petals and sepals
Flattened white labellum
Mauve-blue to purple flowers 20 to 50mm across
Short, spreading petals and sepals

Seven species found for the day