22/09/2019
We are collected from our home by Eric and his father, for an orchid adventure out east of Esperance. We will be showing them our Boyatup location ( Mud Map SE 40) and in return we get chauffeured and have the chance to discuss our findings, views, information and thoughts on our beautiful terrestrial orchids. Enjoying the great outdoors by taking nothing but photographs and leaving only footprints.
Our Boyatup location had been affected by bushfire last summer, so this will be our first visit since early August. It will interesting to see which orchids are in flower later in the season after a summer bushfire.
As usual we turn off fisheries Road into the track leading to the rock and jump out once the first orchid is spied. Seen by Deb of course :). Following will be photos taken of the orchids found along this first part of the track.

Purple Enamel Orchid
Elythranthera brunonis
One of the 2 species found in Western Australia.
The Purple enamel orchid was named in 1963.
Can grow to a height of 300mm


Red beaks
Pyrorchis nigricans
One of the 2 species found in Western Australia.
Red beaks were named in 1810 and placed in the Lyperanthus genus before being moved into the Pyrorchis genus in 1994.
Can grow to a height of 300mm


Common bee orchid
Diuris decrementa
One of the 18 species in the Laxiflora complex of the Diuris genus found in Western Australia
Common bee orchid was named in 2013
Can grow to a height of 300mm

Cowslip orchid
Caladenia flava subsp. flava
One of the 4 subspecies of Cowslip orchid (caladenia flava) found in Western Australia
The Cowslip orchid was named in 1810
Can grow to a height of 250mm


Rattle beaks
Lyperanthus serratus
Is the single Western Australian species of the Lyperanthus genus
Rattle beaks were named in 1840
Can grow to a height of 500mm
We have now reached the gravel pit so drive across this to the track leading to the granite outcrop named Boyatup hill. Back in August we found loads of Pink bunny orchids and Blue beards, plus other orchids in smaller numbers. Let’s see what is now in flower. The following photos are of the orchids found in the area which was burnt by last summers bushfire.
Red beaks

Pyrorchis nigricans


Granite china orchid
Cyanicula nikulinskyae
One of the 8 species in the Gemmata complex of the Cyanicula genus found in Western Australia
Granite china orchid was named in 2000
Can grow to a height of 130mm


White mignonette orchid
Microtis alba
One of the 10 species found in Western Australia
White mignonette orchid named in 1810
Can grow to a height of 600mm




Tall leek orchid
Prasophyllum elatum
One of the 16 species in the Elatum complex of the Prasophyllum genus found in Western Australia
Tall leek orchid was named in 1810
Can grow to a height of 1200mm


Pointing spider orchid
Caladenia exstans
One of the 9 species in the Falcata complex of the Caladenia genus found in Western Australia
Pointing spider orchid was named in 2001
Can grow to a height of 450mm


Zebra orchid
Caladenia cairnsiana
One of the 2 species in the Cairnsiana complex of the Caladenia genus found in Western Australia
Zebra orchid was named in 1869
Can grow to a height of 400mm


Pink candy orchid
Caladenia hirta subsp. rosea
One of 2 subspecies in the Hirta complex of the Caladenia genus in Western Australia
Pink candy orchid was named in 2001
Can grow to a height of 250mm



Cowslip orchid

Caladenia flava subsp. flava



Rabbit orchid
Leptoceras menziesii
Is the only member of the genus Leptoceras
Rabbit orchids were named in 1810 and placed in the Caladenia genus before being moved into the monotypic genus Leptoceras in 1840.
Can grow to a height of 300mm


Common bee orchid

Diuris decrementa



Esperance king spider orchid
Caladenia decora
One of the 22 species in the Huegelii complex of the Caladenia genus found in Western Australia
Esperance king spider orchid was named in 2001
Can grow to a height of 500mm


Dusky fairy orchid
Caladenia x erminea
Hybrid between Cowslip orchid (Caladenia flava) and White fairy orchid (Caladenia marginata)
Dusky fairy orchid was named in 2001
Can grow to a height of 160mm


Beautiful donkey orchid
Diuris pulchella
One of the 26 species in the Corymbosa complex of the Diuris genus found in Western Australia
Beautiful donkey orchid was named in 1991
Can grow to a height of 500mm


Western wispy spider orchid
Caladenia microchila
One of the 43 species in the Filamentosa complex of the Caladenia genus found in Western Australia
Western wispy spider orchid was named in 2001
Can grow to a height of 250mm


Esperance white spider orchid
Caladenia longicauda subsp. crassa
One of the 14 subspecies of C. longicauda, which is one of the 14 species in the Longicauda complex of the Caladenia genus found in Western Australia
Esperance white spider orchid was named in 2001
Can grow to a height of 500mm


Heberle’s spider orchid
Caladenia heberleana
One of 22 species of the Huegelii complex in the Caladenia genus found in Western Australia
Heberle’s spider orchid was named in 2001
Can grow to a height of 450mm


White fairy orchid
Caladenia marginata
One of the 4 species in the Latifolia complex of the Calendenia genus found in Western Australia
White fairy orchid was named in 1839
Can grow to a height of 200mm


Custard orchid
Thelymitra villosa
One of the 6 species in the Antennifera complex of the Thelymitra genus found in Western Australia
Custard orchid was named in 1839
Can grow to a height of 600mm


Blue china orchid
Cyanicula gemmata
One of 8 species in the Gemmata complex of the Cyanicula genus found in Western Australia
Blue china orchid was named in 1839
Can grow to a height of 150mm


Condingup china orchid
Cyanicula sp. ‘Esperance’
One of the 8 species in the Gemmata complex of the Cyanicula genus found in Western Australia
Condingup china orchid was first collected in 1996 but is yet to be formally named
Can grow to a height of 150mm


Laughing leek orchid
Prasophyllum macrostachyum
One of 4 species in the Gracile complex of the Prasophyllum genus found in Western Australia
Laughing leek orchid was named in 1810
Can grow to a height of 300mm


Bearded bird orchid
Pterostylis turfosa
One of 13 species in the Barbata complex of the Pterostylis genus found in Western Australia
Bearded bird orchid was named in 1840
Can grow to a height of 200mm


Hybrid spider orchid
Caladenia x
Unnamed hybrid orchid. Possible parents: C. decora: C. longicauda: C. heberleana: C. hirta:

Lunch time and it’s time we move on. Eric wishes to show us a location where he has previously found the Holy Grail of orchids: Queen of Sheba orchid. He did not have to ask us twice. After having a bite to eat we head off at this new location, just off Parmango Road. Immediately we come across a new orchid, that Deb and myself had never seen. The following orchids are the ones found at this new location, which is now firmly added to our must visit sites.

Twisted sun orchid
Thelymitra flexuosa
One of the 6 species in the Antennifera complex of the Thelymitra genus found in Western Australia
Twisted sun orchid was named in 1839
Can grow to a height of 350mm

Purple enamel orchid

Common bee orchid

Cowslip orchid

Rattle beaks

White mignonette orchid

Custard orchid


Dancing spider orchid
Caladenia discoidea
A distinct species of the Caladenia genus endemic to Western Australia
Dancing spider orchid was named in 1839
Can grow to a height of 450mm


Lemon-scented sun orchid
Thelymitra antennifera
One of the 6 species in the Antennifera complex of the Thelymitra genus found in Western Australia
Lemon-scented sun orchid was named in 1840
Can grow to a height of 250mm


Jug orchid
Pterostylis recurva
A unique species of the Pterostylis genus endemic to Western Australia
Jug orchid was named in 1873
Can grow a height of 900mm

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What a great new location this was off Parmango Road. Time to move on, so we take Eric and his father to our original location off Coolinup road which is on the other side of Condingup. Here we first visit the gravel pit, then decide to bush bash down to our small granite location. The orchids listed below were found on that bush bash plus around the small granite location.
Esperance king spider orchid

Laughing leek orchid

Heberle’s spider orchid

Common bee orchid

Bearded bird orchid

Purple enamel orchid

It proved a very successful day with Boyatup proving itself once again to be a magnificent location for orchids, with this season especially good after last summers bushfire. Thanks to Eric for sharing his Parmango Road location we finally got to see the Twisted sun orchid in bloom and Eric the custard orchid. Nearly 6 hrs spent searching for orchids in great company.