Monocot

Discovering Unique Orchids on Esperance’s Coast

Esperance, Pink Lake, Western Australian Orchids, Wind Farm

11/08/2024

A beautiful Sunday afternoon in Esperance so what better way to spend it than looking for orchids.
Where to go today though?
Let’s hit some coastal and near coastal locations to see what we find.

First stop is a coastal Esperance location10

Walking around the marked trail from the car park Deb spies some Snail orchids growing in the scrub. These small orchids appear to be the Southern thick-sepaled snail orchid (Pterostylis meridionalis). They are found in coastal locations between Stokes Inlet and Cape Arid. Flowering from July to September in coastal woodlands and shrublands. If my ID is correct this is only the 2nd time, we have found these, which is exciting.

20-100mm in height
Bloated appearance
Slightly apically thickened lateral sepals
Green and white flowers
4-6 basal rosette leaves and 3-4 cauline leaves
Broadly flared petals

We now head down the dirt track to toward the granite headland. In the scrubby raised edges to the path, we are pleased to find some helmet orchids. These ones appear to be the Sand hill helmet orchid (Corysanthes despectans) which is found between Bunbury and Israelite Bay. They flower from July to early-September and grow in sandy soils in coastal woodlands and shrublands. They also occur in SA, Vic and Tas.

Now this is a newly discovered species for us so really excited.

Dorsal sepal does not form a hood over labellum
Large, incurved labellum
Side on perspective
Birdseye view
Similar colouring to Crystal Helmet Orchid (C. limpida)
Stand 9-15mm in height when flowering
Many leaves but few flowers
Green, rounded, ground hugging leaf

Further down the track we come across more rounded leaves. These leaves, however, end up belonging to the Mosquito orchid (Cyrtostylis robusta). This is a widespread orchid which occurs between Perth and Israelite Bay. These flower earlier so are nearing the end of their season, being June to August.

Thin spreading petals
Green ground hugging leaf
Up to 8 flowers per plant
Full plant shot

At the end of the track/s before reaching the granite another species of snail orchid is found. This one is likely to be the Eastern granite snail orchid (Pterostylis voigtii) which flowers from July to September. It occurs between Stokes Inlet and Cape Arid, growing in shallow soil pockets over granite.

20-100mm in height
Shortish lateral sepals
1 or 2 cauline leaves
Flared petals
Nice hood of snails
Rosette of 4 to 6 leaves

Moving onto another coastal location 11 . Here we first find some more snail orchids. Some had the slight clubbing to the lateral sepals whilst others did not. I believe the former are Southern thick-sepaled snail orchids whilst the later are Eastern granite snail orchids. Pics of both recorded.

Southern thick-sepaled snail orchid
Southern thick-sepaled snail orchid
Southern thick-sepaled snail orchid
Eastern granite snail orchid
Eastern granite snail orchid
Eastern granite snail orchid
Southern thick-sepaled snail orchid

Deb is excited to find a shell orchid. From the location of the orchid, I believe it to be the Curled-tongue shell orchid (Pterostylis rogersii). These orchids flower from June to August between Binningup and Esperance in coastal woodlands and shrublands. Another one is found nearby which is greener in colour but appears to be the same species.

Stands only 70-100mm in height
The more common brown coloured form
The rarer green coloured form
Prominent hairy curved labellum
White striped flowers
Obvious “Common name”

An orchid found in various shades was the Pink fairies (Caladenia latifolia). A common orchid found between Kalbarri and Israelite Bay, flowering during the months August to December.

Can grow up to 450mm in height
50 Shades of pink: Pale to ….
50 Shades of pink: … to Bright
Common name alludes to the winged labellum and column resembling a fairy
Side view showing upright dorsal sepal

Another 3 species of orchid are also found. 1 of which have been found previously today: The Mosquito orchid. Newly found are the rosette of a Bird orchid and the Banded greenhood (Pterostylis vittata). Pictures taken for future reference.

Bird orchid emerging
Banded greenhood
Mosquito orchid – Up to 8 flowers per plant
Leaf size. 20 -50 mm wide, 30-60mm long
Height indication 90mm – Can grow to 300mm
Broad, elongated labellum

Moving onto our third location for the day.12 Here a quick inspection turns up some more Curled-tongue shell orchids.

Labellum protrudes giving the common name
Long thin upright lateral sepals
Brown or green and white striped flowers

Last location of the day provides wonderful views over Pink Lake. 13 Here we are amazed to find the Beautiful donkey orchid (Diuris pulchella) growing so close to the coast. I believed it was an inland orchid as it’s range is listed as being between Salmon Gums and Israelite Bay. These stunning orchids flower from July to September.

Broadly-oval to rounded petals
Narrow, often crossed lateral sepals
Side view. Lateral sepals not crossed this time
Relatively short mid lobe to labellum
Bright yellow and mauve flowers

Another less colourful donkey orchid is also found. Due to our location, I believe this to be the Green Range donkey orchid (Diuris littoralis). Florabase’s map indicates they can occur in coastal locations. Also, their range is listed in my orchid books as being between Denmark and Esperance. The flowering season is July to early-September so it all fits.

Narrow, often crossed lateral sepals. though not is this case.
Yellow, brown and mauve flowers
Oblong to elliptic petals
Broad dorsal sepal
Range in height from 180 – 300mm
Tri-lobed labellum
Up to six flowers per orchid

Further along the track we come across some more Pink fairies. These ones seem to be pink and white striped which is interesting. Also found a lone Snail orchid, ID unknown. Pics take for recording purposes.

Bloated appearance, thin lateral sepals and 2 cauline leaves
Rosette of unknown snail orchid
Interesting pink and white striped appearance
Side view highlighting the coloured stripes
Smaller flower, same interesting colouring
Up to 4 flowers per orchid
Two converging rows of yellow lamina calli

The final orchids found for the day were the large white spider orchids. I now need to decide if they are all the Esperance white spider orchid (Caladenia longicauda subsp. crassa) or maybe different species. What are your thoughts?

Orchid 1
Orchid 1
Orchid 1
Orchid 2
Orchid 2
Orchid 2
Orchid 3
Orchid 3
Orchid 3
Orchid 4
Orchid 4

We spend several hours exploring our coastal and near coastal locations. Then, we return home happy as we have located so many different types of orchids.

The Sand hill helmet orchid being the find of the day.

I’ll finish this post with one of the beautiful scenes we enjoyed today…

View over Pink Lake

Exploring Orchids in Esperance: A Solo Adventure

Esperance, Helms Arboretum, List of Orchids Found, Myrup

09/08/2024

Debbie is working this afternoon. I am now retired, so I decided to explore two locations close to Esperance solo.
Helms Arboretum and Myrup.9
Not much to report so I will just list the orchids found.

?? Snail orchid
(Pterostylis sp.)

Found at Helms and is un-named. Have posted numerous pics of orchid flower, full plant and the rosettes to assist identification.

Esperance king spider orchid
(Caladenia decora)

Distribution: Bremer Bay to Cape Arid

Flower: mid-August to October

These orchids vary in their appearance. This can make positive ID difficult as the co-occurring (C. heberleana), also flowers during September and October.
They also hybridise with (C. longicauda subsp. crassa) producing various coloured flowers. This also confuses identification

Banded greenhood
(Pterostylis vittata)

Dark banded greenhood
(Pterostylis sanguinea)

Both flower into September. They both have ranges that extend east to Esperance.

Grass-leafed spider orchid
(Caladenia graminifolia)

Distribution: Mt Manypeaks to Israelite Bay

Flowering: August and September

Specimen found had been nibbled and was hanging upside down. This proved interesting to photograph as it was blowing in the gusty wind.

Cowslip orchid
(Caladenia flava subsp. flava)

Distribution: Northampton to Israelite Bay

Flowering: July to early December

Common helmet orchid
(Corysanthes recurva)

Distribution: Mandurah to Albany, with numerous disjunct populations. Not recorded in Esperance though.

Flowering: June to early-September

Western tiny blue orchid
(Cyanicula aperta)

Distribution: Dumbleyung to Mt Ragged

Flowering: August to early-October

Esperance king spider orchids

Also found these at the Myrup location. No other orchids found though at this location.

Orchid season reset @ Helms Arboretum after Birthday Cruise

Esperance, Helms Arboretum, List of Orchids Found, Western Australian Orchids

07/08/2024

Well, it has been quite a while since we went orchid hunting.
A holiday to celebrate my 60th Birthday was enjoyed from mid-July to yesterday. No orchids included LOL.

So, what better place to see how the season is progressing than to pop out to Helms.
We were not disappointed!!

Esperance king spider orchid
(Caladenia decora)

Flowers: mid-August to October

Distribution: Bremer Bay to Cape Arid

??snail orchid
(Pterostylis sp.)

Un-named snail orchid species found at Helm’s

Cowslip orchid
(Caladenia flava subsp. flava)

Flowers: July to early-December

Distribution: Northampton to Israelite Bay

Grass-leafed spider orchid
(Caladenia graminifolia)

Flowers: August to September

Distribution: Mt Manypeaks Bay to Israelite Bay

Common helmet orchid
(Corysanthes recurva)

Flowers: June to early-September

Distribution: Mandurah to Albany with many disjunct populations, although Esperance is not listed as one of these

Western tiny blue orchid
(Cyanicula aperta)

Flowers: August to early-October

Distribution: Dumbleyung to Mt Ragged

Banded greenhood
(Pterostylis vittata)

Flowers: late-April to early-September

Distribution: Perth to Israelite Bay

Jug orchid
(Pterostylis recurva)

Flowers: August to October

Distribution: Geraldton to Israelite Bay

Zebra orchid
(Caladenia cairnsiana)

Flowers: August to early-November

Distribution: Lancelin to Esperance

Esperance white spider orchid
(Caladenia longicauda subsp. crassa)

Flowers: August to early-October

Distribution: Bremer Bay to Israelite Bay

10 species found with a possible hybrid between Esperance king and white spider orchids (pics below)

Birdwatching and Picnics: A Day at Monjingup Reserve

Esperance, Western Australian Orchids

05/07/2024

Another school holiday day with the grandkids. We decide to go out and check Monjingup Reserve.
First up we check out the reserve on the town side of Telegraph Road. Here we have a picnic lunch and check out the large chess game. It had seen better days.

After a quick look around, we move onto to the Lake part of the reserve. Located on the other side of Telegraph Road.
Here we take the boardwalk to the bird hide. As the water level is low the birds were a long way away so could not tell what they were. However, there was a nest in the bird hide, which was a good find. The grandkids decide to play on the lake banks for a bit.
Then we continue on the walk trail which goes over the lake via a boardwalk. Here we see some little colourful birds.

Disappointingly only one orchid species was found flowering. The Banded greenhood (Pterostylis vittata) is a common widespread orchid which flowers from late April to early September. The are listed as occurring between Perth and Israelite Bay.

To finish the day off with the grandkids we took them to the creek crossing on Quarry Road. Here we attempted to catch some more fish for our outdoor pond. As these are introduced fish to Australia, we are happy to do this as an adventure.

Another wonderful day spent with the grandkids in the great outdoors.

Tadpole Discoveries and Orchid Sightings with Grandkids

Esperance, Western Australian Orchids

03/07/2024

As the grandkids were disappointed with not finding any tadpoles on our last adventure, today we head east.
Orchid hunting will again play a secondary role for the day.
First stop for the day is our Neridup1 location as it fills up with water during winter.
No tadpoles found however the grandkids had fun in the water and also climbing the blue metal pile.
I did locate a Brittle snail orchid (Pterostylis timothyi) nearly fully formed. I took some pics for recording purposes. These orchids flower July through September over a range extending between Mt Lindesay and Mt Ragged.
The Banded greenhood (Pterostylis vittata) was also found. It flowers from April through September. Its range extends between Perth and Israelite Bay.

Moved onto a random puddle along Scaddan Road. No tadpoles found though we did find some fungi and more Banded greenhoods.

Next, we move onto Dempster Road where we try another roadside puddle. No tadpoles but further Banded greenhoods. This is becoming repetitive.

We need to find a better location on the way home. Otherwise, this will be another lost day concerning tadpoles.

I noticed a spot with water pooled so we turnaround and make one last attempt.
Deb and the grandkids explore the shallow but clear water whilst I bush bash for orchids.
We break the pattern; I find nothing whilst they catch 3 small tadpoles.

Success.

A successful afternoon for the grandkids in finally catching some tadpoles. Orchids though are proving elusive other than Banded greenhoods which appear everywhere. LOL

School holiday fun with Grandad and Nana… I feel they enjoyed themselves as we certainly did.
Life is wonderful in the great outdoors.