Chameleon – WA Orchid Adventures

13/09/2024

Breakfast in Koorda before we head east toward Mukinbudin, where we make our first orchid hunting stop at Wundowlin Nature Reserve.
Orchids discovered at this location include:
Lemon-scented sun orchid (Thelymitra antennifera),
Dainty blue orchid (Cyanicula amplexans),
Little laughing leek orchid (Prasophyllum gracile)
and
Chameleon spider orchid (Caladenia dimidia).

Passing through Mukinbudin we come across an amazing mural featuring black cockatoos and Blue beard orchids, painted by Tammi de Rooy @tammiderooyart, which by the way is the feature image of this post.
Next, we head southeast towards Westonia.

On the way we make another orchid hunting stop at Boodallin Soak located in the Westonia Common. After a quick check of the well Bob n Jan head into Westonia for an explore whilst we explore the granite outcrop.
Orchids found include:
Yellow granite donkey orchid (Diuris hazeliae),
Little laughing leek orchid,
Western wispy spider orchid (Caladenia microchila),
Midget greenhood (Pterostylis mutica),
Dainty blue orchid,
Slender rufous greenhood (Pterostylis macrosceles)
and
Pink candy orchid (Caladenia hirta subsp. rosea).

After arriving in Westonia we enjoy lunch with Bob and Jan at the Cafe/Supermarket. They then go to check out the museum whilst we explore the Woodlands & Wildflowers Heritage Trail for orchids. This walk trail is also contained in the Westonia Common.
Orchids found include:
Dainty blue orchid with an Albino form found,
Little laughing leek orchid,
Ant / Clown orchid (Caladenia roei),
Granite sun orchid (Thelymitra petrophila),
Spoon-lipped rufous greenhood (Pterostylis spathulata) and
Spider orchids of the Filamentosa complex.
Unable to identify with a high probability of correctness, so have posted 4 pics of the various forms found.

Nearly 3pm so we had better keep moving. We hit the Great Eastern Hwy and venture eastward as far as Bodallin¹where we make another exploration stop.
Many more Filamentosa complex spider orchids are found.
I’ll not attempt to name them, but I’ll use iNaturalist.com for assistance and make edits as needed. Other than C. microchila and C. dimidia already listed today other possible species are:
Glistening spider orchid (Caladenia incensum),
Banded Ironstone spider orchid (Caladenia saxicola),
Common spider orchid (Caladenia varians).

Other orchids found include the
Dainty blue orchid,
Ant / Clown orchid,
Little laughing leek orchid,
Yellow granite donkey orchid,
Hairy-stemmed snail orchid (Pterostylis setulosa),
and
Little frog greenhood (Pterostylis occulta).

It is nearly 4pm so we move onto our next overnight accommodation, where we again catch up with Jan and Bob.
The Palace Hotel in Southern Cross was a comfortable hotel with great meals. We hit the sack content.

08/09/2024

After enjoying our hotel breakfast, we leave Newdegate and head towards Dragon Rocks Nature Reserve.
Numerous stops are made along the track and then we explore the camping area which includes the flat granite rocks.

First orchid found was the Sugar orchid (Ericksonella saccharata), then further along the track a possible Dwarf zebra orchid (Caladenia pachychila) is found. Open to correction on this one.
Other common orchids found along the way include the:
Purple enamel orchid (Elythranthera brunonis),
Western tiny blue orchid (Cyanicula aperta),
Western wheatbelt donkey orchid (Diuris brachyscapa)
Dancing spider orchid (Caladenia discoidea).

Along the track in we also come across our first standard looking spider orchids.
Again, like yesterday I feel they are all variations of the Chameleon spider orchid (Caladenia dimidia).

Further common orchids were found at the flat granite outcrop area, including the Cowslip orchid (Caladenia flava subsp. flava),
Pink candy orchid (Caladenia hirta subsp. rosea)
and the Ant orchid (Caladenia roei).

Also found along the way was the Little laughing leek orchid (Prasophyllum gracile) and 2 Pterostylis orchids from different complexes.
One is a spent orchid from the Vittata complex and the other is a budding orchid from the Rufa complex.
Naming these is not possible.

Now onwards to our next stop, which was an unplanned stop at the intersection of Kulin-Holt Rock Road, where we found a memorial of the Holland Track, so pulled in for a photo op.
Also took the opportunity to quickly explore the verge side vegetation for any orchids.
Actually, found some including the Jug orchid (Pterostylis recurva) and more Chameleon spider orchids.

Heading west along the Kulin-Holt Rock Road we come to our planned lunch stop, Buckley’s Breakaway, which is located in the Un-named Nature Reserve No. WA27485.
After a bite to eat we venture along the trail into the breakaways, which are an amazingly site. (Refer feature image)

Of course, our eyes are looking for orchids as we stroll along. We are not disappointed as we first come across the Sugar orchid, followed by the Frog greenhood (Pterostylis sargentii) and an unknown Banded greenhood (Pterostylis sp.).
I originally identified this as the Mallee banded greenhood (P. arbuscula) however it is listed as flowering in early winter so it may just be a short specimen of the Dark banded greenhood (P. sanguinea) which does flower into September and is also listed as occurring in this vicinity.
Please provide comments to assist with the ID.

On the return journey 2 more orchids are found.
The Brittle snail orchid (Pterostylis timothyi)
and more Western wheatbelt donkey orchids.

We move on towards Kukerin our planned overnight hotel stay.
However, we first make a planned orchid hunt and bush walk at a spot called The Jam Patch, which is located at the old North Lake Grace tennis club.

Orchids found that had been found earlier today include the:
Pink candy orchid,
Western wheatbelt spider orchid,
Little laughing leek orchid,
Chameleon spider orchid.

New orchids for the day include the:
Salt lake spider orchid (Caladenia exilis subsp. exilis)*
Cream spider orchid (Caladenia horistes)*
Yellow granite donkey orchid (Diuris hazeliae)*
Drooping spider orchid (Caladenia radialis),
Possible hybrid, parents unknown (Caladenia x)*

Orchids marked with * may not be separate species,
possibly just C. dimidia, D. brachyscapa, or C. radialis
so please correct me in the comments section if so.

After checking into our hotel, The Kukerin Community Hub, Deb and I head out for an orchid hunt in the surrounding woodland.

It definitely paid off as we find numerous species including:
Ant orchid, EDIT – Actually found @ Jam Patch
Midget greenhood (Pterostylis mutica),
Hairy-stemmed snail orchid (Pterostylis setulosa),
Slender spider orchid (Caladenia pulchra)*
Chameleon spider orchid (2 colour variations),
Cowslip orchid,
Fringed mantis/Green spider orchid (Caladenia falcata),
Sugar orchid,
Little frog greenhood (Pterostylis occulta),
Vittata complex greenhood,
?? donkey orchid (Diuris sp.).

Orchid marked * may just be another colour variant of C. dimidia

Well day 2 has also proved very productive with around 24 species found.

We settle in for a great pub meal with a few bevies before hitting the sack.