25/09/2022 ….. Gibbo re-visited.

List of Orchids Found, Sunday Drive, Western Australian Orchids

Earlier this season (June) we checked out the burnt area north of Gibson and found greenhoods but nothing else. Now that we are at the other end of the season, we pop out there again to record what is now flowering. After nearly 3hrs searching the area, we were pleased to find so many orchids flowering. I hope you enjoy the photos below, that record what species we found.

Common mignonette orchid (Microtis media subsp. media)

Season: Sept to Jan

Distribution: Shark Bay to Eyre

Habitat: Sandy, sandy-clay and lateritic soils in forests, woodlands and shrublands.

**Common mignonette orchid (Microtis media subsp. media)**

Red beaks (Pyrorchis nigricans)

Season: Aug to Oct

Distribution: Shark Bay to Israelite Bay

Habitat: Sandy, sandy-clay and lateritic soils in forests, woodlands and shrublands. Usually only flower the season following a summer fire.

Purple enamel orchid (Elythranthera brunonis)

Season: Aug to early Nov

Distribution: Kalbarri to Israelite Bay

Habitat: Sandy, sandy-clay and lateritic soils in forests, woodlands and shrublands.

Zebra orchid (Caladenia cairnsiana)

Season: Aug to early Nov

Distribution: Lancelin to Esperance

Habitat: Sandy and sandy-clay soils in forests, woodlands and shrublands.

Little pink fairy (Caladenia reptans subsp. reptans)

Season: July to early Oct

Distribution: Northampton to Esperance

Habitat: Sandy, sandy-clay and lateritic soils in forests, woodlands and shrublands.

Cowslip orchid (Caladenia flava subsp. flava)

Season: July to early Dec

Distribution: Northampton to Israelite Bay

Habitat: Sandy, sandy-clay, lateritic and granitic soils in forests, woodlands and shrublands.

Little pink fan orchid (Caladenia nana subsp. nana)

Season: Late Sept to Oct

Distribution: Perth to Bremer Bay. ( 250kms to the West )

Habitat: Sandy-clay and lateritic soils in forests and woodlands. Best in the season following a summer fire.

White fairy orchid (Caladenia marginata)

Season: Late Sept to Nov

Distribution: Jurien Bay to Israelite Bay

Habitat: Sandy and sandy-clay soils in seasonally wet flats and runoff areas on granite outcrops. Flowers best in season following a summer fire.

Blue china orchid (Cyanicula gemmata)

Season: Aug to early Nov

Distribution: Kalbarri to Israelite Bay

Habitat: Sandy, sandy-clay, lateritic and granitic soils in forests, woodlands and shrublands.

Granite china orchid (Cyanicula nikulinskyae)

Season: Sept to early Nov

Distribution: Fitzgerald River National Park and Israelite Bay

Habitat: Shallow soil pockets on granite outcrops. The recently integrated Condingup china orchid (C. sp ‘Esperance”) was listed as growing in shrublands and woodlands.

Heberle’s spider orchid (Caladenia heberleana)

Season: Sept to Oct

Distribution: Augusta to Cape Arid

Habitat: Sandy and sandy-clay soils in forests, woodlands and shrublands.

Esperance king spider orchid (Caladenia decora)

Season: Mid Aug to Oct

Distribution: Bremer Bay to Cape Arid

Habitat: Sandy-clay and clay soils in woodlands and shrublands.

Small mantis orchid (Caladenia attingens subsp. gracillima)

Season: Aug to early Oct

Distribution: Jerramungup to Israelite Bay

Habitat: Sandy and sandy-clay soils in woodlands and shrublands.

Dancing spider orchid (Caladenia discoidea)

Season: Aug to early Oct

Distribution: Kalbarri to Israelite Bay

Habitat: Sandy soils in woodlands and shrublands.

**Dancing spider orchid (Caladenia discoidea)**

White mignonette orchid (Microtis alba)

Season: Oct to Jan

Distribution: Dongara to Esperance

Habitat: Sandy, sandy-clay and lateritic soils in forests, woodlands and seasonally wet flats. Most common in the season following a summer fire.

Bee orchid (Diuris laxiflora)

Season: Sept to early Nov

Distribution: Gingin to Esperance

Habitat: Sandy-clay and clay soils in seasonally wet areas.

Twisted sun orchid (Thelymitra flexuosa)

Season: Sept to Oct

Distribution: Kalbarri and Israelite Bay

Habitat: Seasonally-wet flats and shallow soil pockets on granite outcrops.

Swamp mignonette orchid (Microtis atrata)

Season: Sept – Nov

Distribution: Jurien Bay to Israelite Bay. Also found in SA, Vic and Tas.

Habitat: Sandy-clay and clay soils in seasonally-wet flats.

Hybrid orchid (Caladenia flava x reptans)

Season: July to early Dec

Distribution: Northampton to Esperance

Habitat: Sandy, sandy-clay, lateritic and granitic soils in forests, woodlands and shrublands.

18 species and 1 hybrid found in just over 2 and a half hours of searching in the 1 location. A SUPER SUNDAY!!!!!

09/09/2021 ….. Stirling Range National Park and surrounds

Formby NR, Mabinup Creek NR, National Parks, Nature Reserves, Numerous days, Road Trip, Stirling Range NP, Western Australian Orchids

We awake to a cold , wet and miserable day, but we won’t let that stop us from going exploring for orchids. Finally the rain stops, so after a bite of lunch, we head up to the Bluff Knoll lookout however the actual mountain is nearly covered in clouds. The feature picture show some of the amazing metal artwork installed there. Some close-up images are included here for your appreciation.

So now is the time to commence our exploration of the area. We have a very quick scout around the lookout and parking area, where we see a few orchids. However on the drive into the lookout we saw some possible spots to check out along the roadside. So it is at these couple of stops, in between showers, that we locate the following orchids.

It’s now past 2.30pm so we only have a few hours of daylight left to explore, so we will keep close to our base. Therefore we make tracks north of the National Park, to visit the nearby Formby Nature Reserve (Google Maps), which is signposted as the Mabinup Creek Nature Reserve. The northern boundary of the park is found to be very weedy and the creek is overflowing, which does not thrill us too much. So we head back down Formby Road South and venture in on the eastern boundary. Next time we need to pack wellington boots as the place is flooded, but we venture in nonetheless, after applying insect repellent, as the mozzies may become troublesome. This place proves to be covered in orchids in large numbers and many species, which is amazing to us. Refer the following images of the orchids found.

Joseph’s spider orchid (Caladenia polychroma)

I just had to pop in some photos to show how many orchids were at this location as well as the ones we found swimming.

It is now after 4.30 so we head back toward our base at the Stirling Range Retreat, but as per usual we make one more stop. We pull off the road before the Mount Trio turn-off and head down this gravel track. This is a new location for us in the park and it proves to be quite fruitful. Our quick stop though runs into another hour. Luckily the rain holds off. Here is what we found.

With the light running out fast we do a u-turn, head back to Formsby Road South and make tracks for our little cabin. What an amazing afternoon of orchid hunting we have had today, especially given the cold and wet morning we awoke to. I think we found 23 species and at least 3 hybrids which is mind blowing but this National Park and it’s surrounding are like an oasis in the middle of cleared land for agriculture.

08/09/2021 ….. Dinninup to Stirling Range Retreat

Greater Kingston NP, Mickalurrup NR, National Parks, Nature Reserves, Numerous days, Road Trip, Six Mile Road NR, Unicup NR, Warrenup NR, Western Australian Orchids

After spending a wonderful night with our gracious hosts we pass through Dinninup and head down Six Mile Road and make our first stop at Six Mile Road Nature Reserve.

The ever reliable Jug orchid (Pterostylis recurva) is the first orchid found. These are a common orchid occurring over a wide range, from Geraldton to Israelite Bay. It is a unique species in the Pterostylis genus so has not been included in any of the 5 complexes. Other common names include the Bull orchid, Antelope orchid and Recurved shell orchid.

Very soon after the equally reliable Little Pink fairy (Caladenia reptans subsp. reptans) is found. They are commonly found growing in clumps and are distinguished from the Pink fairy by having a purplish/red colouring to the underside of their leaf, rather than green. Also quite a widespread orchid with populations found from Northampton To Esperance

Then another stunning orchid is found. The Silky blue orchid (Cyanicula sericea) which flowers between Jurien Bay and Esperance, is quite the stunner. The spotted labellum is very distinctive and the flowers can be up to 40mm in width, which are large enough to stand out in the bush.

Next found are numerous donkey orchids. These orchids are very difficult to identify due to all species being very similar in appearance plus many overlap in their distributions. Any help in identifying these orchids would be appreciated.

Leaving this Nature Reserve we move on, to who knows where as we are just winging our stops by using the Hema map book and Google maps. We locate a patch of bush, which is signposted as the Mickalurrup Nature Reserve but I cannot locate any reference to it online other than as a hotspot in eBird, so its location at the intersection of Westbourne Road is my only location detail for reference purposes.

A quick inspection does not turn up much. Some more donkey orchids (un-named), a Little pink fairy and some snail orchids (un-named). So onwards we go as it is now past 11am

Next stop is further south at the location Heartlea forest settlement, which is located in the Greater Kingston National Park. We head off with low expectations given the finds so far today, but are blown away by finding a brand new species for us. 🙂

The Little pink fan orchid (Caladenia nana subsp. nana) is a small orchid that flowers between Perth and Bremer Bay, in forest and woodland habitats. Being so small we struggled to get any decent pics but will share them anyways.

Other orchids found here were more Little pink fairies, donkey orchids (unnamed) and a Silky blue orchid.

Then just as we were leaving this spot a single spider orchid is spotted. From the options available for the range and colourings I believe it is a Joseph’s spider orchid (Caladenia polychroma) which flowers in September & October between Fitzgerald River National Park and Boyup Brook.

As our planned destination for the day is still some 200kms away and it now 12.30, we return to the road. As is usual for us we don’t make it far before stopping to have a quick look around, this time at a layby near Tonebridge.

We again find some donkey orchids which I will not attempt to ID, but more excitingly we come across some more spider orchids. Theses appear different to the one found earlier and are most likely the Tenterden yellow spider orchid (Caladenia straminichila) which is pale yellow to creamy yellow in colour with basally backswept petals.

Next stop is Unicup Lake which is located in the Unicup Nature Reserve. It appears a Water Ski club used to exist here, as there is an old tin shed still in existence. We have lunch here before exploring the nearby area for orchids.

Leaf
Long purplish labellum
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

First up the Little pink fairy is found followed up by Midge orchids (Cyrtostylis huegelii) and some more Snail orchids (unnamed). The round, green, ground hugging leaves of the Midge orchid are found in great numbers however as the midge orchid flowers are very well camouflaged, you need to stand still and look closely to see them.

A very exciting find is the Crab-lipped spider orchid (Caladenia plicata) which I believe is a new species for us. This little orchid flowers from September to early November in woodlands, forests and Mallee-heaths. Located between Nannup and Hopetoun, this orchid reaches up to only 350mm in height and is distinguished by it’s unusual shaped labellum and spreading fringe segments.

Clubbed sepals
Dense, tall, central band of calli
About to unfurl
Spreading fringe segments
Distinctive shaped labellum
Single, erect, hairy leaf, 80-200mm in length and 6-9mm in width
Flowers 30-40mm in width
Up to 350mm in height

Shrivelled flower
Growing in old Grasstree stump
Rosette and stem leaves help with ID (Usually)

With further searching we find more orchids but nothing really new for the day. Snail orchids are found but naming them is just too difficult so if you have any idea of their identification, please comment on this post. Also some Corybas sp. leaves were found with some showing old withered flowers.

As we need to keep moving we head back to the Triton and hit the road again. We only get as far as Kulunilup Nature Reserve before pulling over to the side of the road. On a quick check nothing is found so we move on. Further along a bit we pull off the road at Kenny’s Tank which is located in the Warrenup Nature Reserve and take the 5 min walk towards the tank. However we are beaten back by the swarms of mozzies but do find loads of orchids, which is great.

First orchids discovered were donkeys orchids, however naming these is also difficult. Using Florabase and Atlas of Living Australia they may be one of 2 species. (D. corymbosa or D. porrifolia). Nearby the donkey orchids was the old faithful Jug orchid.

Diuris sp.
Diuris sp.
Diuris basal leaves
Jug orchid
Diuris sp. with mozzie
Diuris sp.
Jug orchid with mozzie

Leaf

The large white spider orchids then start appearing in numbers as do the mozzies. As none are founds in clumps and based on the location I feel they are the White spider orchid (Caladenia longicauda subsp. longicauda). Listed in Florabase as being found in the Cranbrook local government area, plus with a photographic record in the Spider Orchid EBook 2018 from Frankland WA, I am confident in the ID.

Also found were Little pink fairies, Cowslip orchids (Caladenia flava subsp, flava) and Banded greenhoods (Pterostylis vittata), which are all quite common orchids. Also seen was a sole Lemon-scented sun orchid in bud and masses of spent Mosquito or Midge orchids.

Little pink fairy
Little pink fairies
Cowslip orchid
Cowslip orchid
Cowslip orchids
Banded greenhood
Spent Mosquito or Midge orchids.
Lemon-scented sun orchid in bud

Joseph’s spider orchid
Joseph’s spider orchid
Joseph’s spider orchid
the sign that enticed me across the road
Tangled white spider orchid
Tangled white spider orchid
Stark white spider orchid
Stark white spider orchid
Stark white spider orchid
Stark white spider orchid

From nowhere, a sole Joseph’s spider orchid is seen, so some pics were taken.

I go across the road to check out a particular sign and discover some White spider orchids in clumps as well as one that looks a little different. The clumping ones must be some Stark white spider orchids (Caladenia longicauda subsp. eminens) whilst the unusual one could be a Tangled white spider orchid (Caladenia longicauda subsp. redacta), which is smaller in size and has shorter fringe segments than other longicauda complex orchids.

So even though we were fighting off the mozzies, the orchids found made it worth it. However we must move on, so we jump back into the Triton but only get 5 mins down the road when masses of White spider orchids on the roadside force us to pull-over. We are near the Yeriminup Road intersection.

These must be more Stark white spider orchids due to their clumping habit. Also found was another donkey orchid and another Lemon-scented sun orchid (Thelymitra antennifera) which is trying to open up.

Stark white spider orchid
Stark white spider orchid
Stark white spider orchid
Diuris sp.
Lemon-scented sun orchid

OK, it’s now past 4pm and we still have close to 100kms to get to our planned overnight stop. So foot to the petal and off we go. We arrive at the Stirling Range Retreat, check-in, then unpack ourselves into our small cabin. At least we will stay dry as the weather moves in.

Not too shabby a day with 14 species found, plus un-named Donkey and Snail orchids. Also the Crab-lipped spider orchid and Little pink fan orchids were brand new species for us, so that was exciting.

Last Hoorah of our Holidays

Day Trip, Road Trip

22/09/2017

As we came home early from our Road Trip we had to finish our holidays with a final orchid hunt. What better place to check out than Boyatup Hill (Mud Map SE40) . Like Helms Arboretum, Boyatup never disappoints. Arriving at 10am we immediately go exploring for orchids. Our first orchid is the Purple enamel orchid ( Elythranthera brunonis). Closely followed by the small Diuris orchid, from the Bee orchid complex. From the habitat found and the small stature of the plants they appear to be the Common bee orchid (Diuris decrementa).

Forward projecting lateral sepals

Pinkish colour variant

Glossy flowers

Two large, black basal calli

Twins

Small, yellow, brown marked flowers

In close proximity we come across a Red beak (Pyrorchis nigricans), Cowslip orchids (Caladenia flava subsp. flava), more Purple enamel orchids and Common bee orchids.

Common, red marked yellow flowers

Great family shot

Distinctive red and white flowers

Up to five flowers per plant

Then prior to hopping back in the Triton we find some Lemon-scented sun orchids (Thelymitra antennifera) and what appears to be an Esperance king spider orchid (Caladenia decora) nearing the end of it’s season.

Small antennae like column lobes

Stiffly held petals and sepals

We now pass through the gravel pit and head up the track to a spot that allows us to turn around, where we get out have morning tea, then head on up the overgrown track on foot, towards the granite outcrop. Along this overgrown track we find some Pink candy orchids (Caladenia hirta subsp. rosea), more Cowslip orchids and Esperance king spider orchids, plus some of the small, Zebra orchids (Caladenia cairnsiana).

Short, spreading petals and lateral sepals

Twins

Red tipped labellum

Upright dorsal sepal

As mentioned Boyatup is a great location and as proof we have already found 8 varieties in the first half hour of looking. What will a few hours bring? We can’t wait to find out.

Next orchid found was a Pointing spider orchid (Caladenia exstans) which is only found between Esperance and Israelite Bay from September to early November.

Named after the labellum projecting forwards

Smooth margined labellum

More yellow spied. Cowslips and Lemon-scented sun orchids found.

Enjoying the sunshine

3 is a crowd

Red colouring is varaible

No scrub will stop them finding the sun

Then to our surprise we find a Beautiful donkey orchid (Diuris pulchella), very near it’s season end, but still showing off it’s mauve colouring.

The beautiful mauve colouring

Found north and east of Esperance

The further along we walk the more we find. More Zebra, Cowslip, Pink Candy, Pointing spider and Beautiful donkey orchids, then something new for the day. We break out of the overgrown track onto an open, damp, low granite rock space about the size of a soccer pitch and find a Blue china orchid (Cyanicula gemmata ), but exact identification is uncertain as 3 different species can be found in this location.

Short, scattered labellum lamina calli

Mauve-blue to purple flowers

Next orchids found were a small grouping of a Caladenia hybrid. One parent is the Cowslip orchid but deciding the other was proving difficult. The other parent does not appear to be the usual Pink fairy orchids as the dorsal sepal hangs forward over the column, which is a feature of the Pink fans. Reviewing the site esperancewildflowers.blogspot.com.au and the Spider Orchids EBook 2018 it appears the other parent to be the Little pink fan orchid. I would never have picked this due to the recorded location being West of Bremer Bay. So in my research the EBook mentions a hybrid between these two orchids being photographed in Esperance and the Esperance wildflowers blog records finding the Little pink fan orchid within his 160km radius of Esperance. So I am recording these orchids as (Caladenia flava x Caladenia nana) an unnamed hybrid.

Forward facing dorsal sepal, typical of C. nana

Beautiful little hybrid

View from above

Colours of both parents

Before leaving this open area we find our smallest orchid of the day. A Laughing leek orchid (Prasophyllum macrostachyum) which is found September through January in a range from Dongara to Cape le Grand. We are 50km East of this range however the flowers appear wider spaced, lateral sepals are shorter and dorsal sepal is wider, than the related Little laughing leek orchid, so I am happy with my classification.

Flowers more widely spaced that the Little laughing leek orchid

Still a very small orchid

The track becomes over grown again and we find a lone spider orchid. Appears to be a Western wispy spider orchid (Caladenia microchila) although this is far from certain

The most Eastern spider orchid

Smaller labellum than other wispy’s

Then we come to the low prickly scrub which leads up to the Granite outcrop. Close to the base of the rock is a thick woodland but for now we are searching in thigh high bushes. Amazingly we find a Rattle Beak (Lyperanthus serratus) growing under one of the bushes bordering the track. Further along we find more Rattle beaks pushing through the prickly shrubs.

Up to 10 dull flowers

Single, long, narrow, leathery leaf 200 – 400mm long by 12-16 mm wide

Densely hairy yellow-white labellum

Narrow forward facing petals and lateral sepals

We don’t have time or inclination to bush bash to the granite rock so after a few more minutes finding further Purple enamel, Pointing spider, Esperance king spider and Zebra orchids we back track to the Triton and move on to another location closer to home, only just.

Big brother watching over

Smooth margined labellum

Striking colours

Flower only 15mm high

On a track named Bebenorin Rd we first come across what appeared to be another Esperance king spider orchid, but on closer inspection I believe it to be a Heberle’s spider orchid (Caladenia herberleana) due to the narrow clubbing of the lateral sepals. These flower September and October in a range from Augusta to Cape Arid which causes them to grow in the same area and at a similar time to the Esperance king spider orchid which makes it difficult to distinguish between them.

Long, slender, rather indistinct petal and sepal clubs

4 or more rows of pale to deep red calli

Red-tipped labellum with long fringe segments

Pale red, white and yellow flowers 60-120mm across

Close by we find some Dancing spider orchids (Caladenia discoidea) and more Cowslip orchids, this time with longer, thinner lateral sepals.

Pale green and red rounded labeluum

Longer thinner lateral sepals than the standard shape

Another first for the day is the Common mignonette orchid (Microtis media) which flowers September through January and ranges from Shark Bay to Eyre, one of the largest ranges of the orchid family in WA.

Curled lateral sepals

Each small flower has a hood like dorsal sepal

Up to 100 yellowish-green flowers

Maybe a pollinator

Getting hungry so we head off to Thomas River for lunch, but not before taking a few more pics.

Awesome coloured tips to the sepals and petals

Wonder where they got the Wispy name from?? LOL

Short spreading petals and sepals

King spider orchid

Side profile

Four rows of squat labellum calli

Nice off centre shot

Large spider orchid flowers 60-120mm across

Just at the entrance to the National Park we find some more Rattle beaks, Lemon-scented sun orchids, Purple enamel orchids and Bee orchids, however only got good pics of the Rattle beaks.

Prominent hood-like dorsal sepal

Spread eagled

We decide to have lunch at the top campground as they have undercover seating. First though we check out the beach and take a walk up the trail for a bit, looking for the patch of leaves we found months earlier. Nothing doing, so we head back to have lunch. On the track in, Deb spies some blue and we are lucky enough to find a solitary Coastal sun orchid (Thelymitra granitora) with a Lemon-scented sun orchid neighbour.

Maroon-tipped flower bract

Column with smooth, yellow-crested mid lobe

Broad spreading petals and sepals

Saying hello

We park the Triton in one of the camping bays and quickly look around, finding a Pointing spider orchid and a King spider orchid, species unknown due to it’s petals and lateral sepals being nibbled off.

Upswept lateral seapls

Petals and lateral sepals nibbled away

After lunch we make our way to the Len Otte nature trail. At the base of the first rise we find a small Laughing leek orchid and further up a some Pink fairies (Caladenia latifolia) and Common bee orchids.

Smooth tubular leaf

Stiffly spreading petals and sepals

Tri-lobed labellum, short fringe segments, two rows calli

Small, yellow, brown marked flowers

Moving through a wooded part of the trail we find some Western wispy spider orchids, before coming out onto the next clearing. Here we get the fright of our life, with a big, black, curled up snake hiding in the low bushes. We keep to the track from now on, no bush bashing, so to speak.

Stiffly held petals and sepals

Two rows of white calli

Birds-eye view of group

OMG this scared us

Now to add to our day the heavens open up and it starts to rain. We try to hurry back but the I see another Blue sun orchid, which appears to be another Coastal sun orchid. Then just as the rain and wind picks up we find some Rabbit orchids (Leptoceras menziesii) in a new location for this nature trail. Photos with it raining and your lenses fogging up, is not an easy task.

Not fully open given the weather

Narrow, erect, ear-like petals

Broad, forward spreading lateral sepals

Up to 5 red and white flowers

Nearby Deb finds a lone Snail orchid. From location and the length of the lateral sepals I am naming it Ravensthorpe snail orchid (Pterostylis sp. ‘ Ravensthorpe’), which is found from Stirling Ranges to Esperance, flowering August and September.

United dorsal sepal and petals forming a blunt hood

Rosette of leaves, 20 to 50mm across

Long, erect lateral sepals, 10 – 25 mm long

Bloated appearance

Still getting wet, but unperturbed, we still search whilst walking quickly back and find some more spider orchids and cowslip orchids. No good photos though, due to rain and fogging lenses, so will not post them. Well this was quite a day of orchid hunting, as our holidays draw to an end. However we did finish on a high – 22 species found in just over 4hours of searching.

Caladenia – Spider orchids, dragon orchids, zebra orchids, candy orchids, fan orchids and fairy orchids.

List of Orchids Found

Caladenia filamentosa complex (Wispy spider orchids)

Flowering – Late June to early December

There are 43 Western Australian species

A single, usually narrow, hairy leaf with in-curved margins.
Up to 3 flowers.
Most species have long wispy petals and lateral sepals.
Labellum with short, serrate or dentate fringe segments and two rows of calli.

Caladenia chapmanii (Chapman’s spider orchid) 02/09/2017

Caladenia dimidia (Chameleon spider orchid) 11/08/2017

Caladenia erythronema (Red thread spider orchid) 20/09/2017

Caladenia filifera (Blood spider orchid) 02/09/2017

Caladenia footeana (Crimson spider orchid) 02/09/2017

Caladenia horistes (Cream spider orchid) 07/09/2018

Caladenia incensa (Glistening spider orchid) 05/09/2019

Caladenia microchila (Western wispy spider orchid) 16/07/2017

Caladenia paradoxa ( Ironcaps spider orchid) 20/09/2017

Caladenia pendens (Pendant spider orchid) 01/09/2017

Caladenia vulgata (Common spider orchid) 16/07/2017

Caladenia xantha (Primrose spider orchid) 28/07/2015

Caladenia longicauda complex (White spider orchids)

Flowering – Late June to early December

There are 14 Western Australian species

Long hairy leaf with flattened or in-curved margins.
Up to 4 (rarely 5) predominately white flowers.
Long wispy, spreading to pendulous petals and lateral sepals.
Labellum with long fringe segments and four or more rows of calli.

Caladenia longicauda subsp. albella (Small-lipped white spider orchid) 02/09/2019

Caladenia longicauda subsp. australora (Southern white spider orchid) 27/08/2017

Caladenia longicauda subsp. borealis (Daddy long-legs white spider orchid) 02/09/2019

Caladenia longicauda subsp. calcigena (Coastal white spider orchid) 02/09/2019

Caladenia longicauda subsp. crassa (Esperance white spider orchid) 27/08/2017

Caladenia longicauda subsp. eminens (Stark white spider orchid) 07/09/2018

Caladenia longicauda subsp. rigidula (Rigid white spider orchid) 26/09/2015

Caladenia huegelii complex (King spider orchid)

Flowering – August to December

There are 22 Western Australian species

Long, hairy leaf with flattened or in-curved margins.
1 to 4 flowers with clubbed sepals.
Most have shorter petals than lateral sepals.
Labellum with short to long, often thickened fringe segments and four or more rows of calli.

Caladenia decora (Esperance king spider orchid) 30/07/2017

Caladenia heberleana (Heberle’s spider orchid) 22/09/2017

Caladenia longiclavata complex (Clubbed spider orchids)

Flowering – August to November

There are 6 Western Australian species

Long, hairy leaf with flattened or in-curved margins.
1 to 3 flowers with clubbed sepals.
Most also have clubbed petals.
Labellum with narrow fringe segments with pointed ends and four or more rows of calli.

Caladenia arrecta (Reaching spider orchid) 31/07/2015

Caladenia longiclavata (Clubbed spider orchid) 19/08/2020

Caladenia magniclavata (Big clubbed spider orchid) 19/08/2020

Caladenia falcata complex (Green spider orchids)

Flowering – August to early December

There are 9 Western Australian species

Long, hairy leaf with flattened or slightly in-curved margins.
Up to 3, rarely 4 flowers with clubbed sepals.
Some have up-swept lateral sepals.
Four or more rows of labellum lamina calli.
Most have long labellum fringe segments with pointed tips

Caladenia attigens subsp. gracillima (Small mantis orchid) 13/09/2014

Caladenia attigens subsp. ‘granite’ (Granite mantis orchid) 06/09/2018

Caladenia exstans (Pointing spider orchid) 23/09/2017

Caladenia falcata (Fringed mantis orchid) 02/09/2017

Caladenia hoffmanii complex (Hoffman’s spider orchids)

Flowering – August to early February

There are 4 Western Australian species

Long, hairy leaf which is flattened or has in-curved margins.
Up to 2 flowers.
Shortened petals and sepals.
Long, fine labellum fringe segments and four or more rows of calli.

Caladenia graminifolia (Grass-leafed spider orchid) 27/08/2017

Caladenia roei complex (Small spider orchids)

Flowering – August to early October

There are 7 Western Australian species

Hairy leaf that may be flattened or have in-curved margins.
Up to 2, rarely 3 flowers.
Shortened petals and sepals.
Large, rounded labellum with smooth margins and a dense central band of calli.

Caladenia brevisura (Short-sepaled spider orchid) 07/09/2018

Caladenia doutchiae (Purple-veined spider orchid) 19/09/2017

Caladenia roei (Clown orchid, ant orchid, man orchid, jack-in-the-box) 02/09/2017

Caladenai cairnsiana complex (Zebra orchids)

Flowering – July to early November

There are 2 Western Australian species

Long, hairy leaf with slightly in-curved margins.
Petals and lateral sepals of similar length and both hang downwards.
Distinctly up-swept labellum with smooth margins, and glandular tip.
Dense central band of labellum lamina calli.

Caladenia cairnsiana (Zebra orchid) 27/08/2017

Caladenia pachychila (Dwarf zebra orchid) 28/08/2018

Caladenia barbarossa complex (Dragon orchids)

Flowering – August to mid November

There are 4 Western Australian species

Relatively short, broad, green leaf. Often lies flat on the ground.
1, rarely 2 flowers
Shortened petals and lateral sepals, down-swept to hanging.
Dorsal sepal often bend backwards.
Densely hairy labellum with a large gland at it’s highest point.

Caladenia barbarossa (Common dragon orchid)

Caldaenia mesocera (Narrow-lipped dragon orchid) 03/09/2019

Caladenia hirta complex (Candy orchids)

Flowering – Late June to early November

There is 1 Western Australian species, comprising 2 sub-species

Broad, flattened hairy leaf.
1 to 3 (rarely to 6) white or pink flowers.
Short, spreading petals and sepals.
Narrow, upright labellum with short fringe segments and four or more rows of calli.

Caladenia hirta subsp. hirta (Candy orchid) 02/09/2019

Caladenia hirta subsp. rosea (Pink candy orchid) 01/09/2017

Caladenia nana complex (Pink fans)

Flowering – Late September to November

There is 1 Western Australian species, comprising 2 sub-species.

Broad, hairy leaf.
Up to 3 (rarely to 5) usually pink flowers.
Petals and sepals form a fan-like arrangement.
Lateral sepals are united near the base.
Labellum with short fringe segments and calli confined near the base.

Caladenia nana subsp. nana (Little Pink Fan orchid) 08/09/2021

Caladenia latifolia complex (Fairy orchids, cowslip orchids)

Flowering – July to December

There are 4 Western Australian species

Colony forming habit.
Relatively, broad hairy leaf.
1 to 4 (rarely to 6) pink, yellow or white flowers.
Short, stiffly spreading petals and sepals, lacking clubs.
Tri-lobed labellum with a raised plate near the base.
Calli extend from either side of the plate.

Caladenia flava subsp. flava (Cowslip orchid) 13/08/2017

Caladenia flava subsp. maculata (Kalbarri cowslip orchid) 03/09/2019

Caladenia latifolia (Pink fairies) 26/08/2017

Caladenia marginata (White fairy orchid)

Caladenia reptans subsp. impensa (Pale pink fairy)

Caladenia reptans subsp. reptans (Little pink fairy, dwarf pink fairy) 13/08/2017

Caladenia – mixed

Caladenia creba (Arrowsmith spider orchid)

Caladenia discoidea (Dancing spider orchid) 30/07/2017

Caladenia macrostylis (Leaping spider orchid) 07/09/2021

Caladenia multiclavia (Lazy spider orchid) 12/09/2021

Caladenia plicata (Crab-lipped spider orchid) 08/09/2021

Caladenia radialis (Drooping spider orchid) 19/09/2017

Caladenia sigmoidea (Sigmoid spider orchid) 30/08/2018

Caladenia wanosa (Kalbarri spider orchid)

Caladenia Hybrids

Caladenia x coactescens (Northern sandplain spider orchid) 03/09/2019 – Lake Indoon

Caladenia x spectabilis (Spectacular spider orchid) 02/09/2017

Caladenia brevisura x C. vulgata 07/09/2018 – Pallarup Rock

Caladenia flava x C. nana 23/09/2017 – Boyatup

Caladenia flava x C. reptans

Caladenia radialis x C. roei 04/09/2019 – Datjoin Well/Rock

Unknown 28/08/2018 – Wattle Rocks, Holland Track

WA Orchid Adventures

Come with me on my Orchid Adventures in Southern Western Austalia

Fan

09/09/2021 ….. Stirling Range National Park and surrounds

08/09/2021 ….. Dinninup to Stirling Range Retreat

Last Hoorah of our Holidays