We awake to a cold morning however the sun is shining so it will be a great last day of our 2020 Road Trip. First up we check out the spider orchid we found in the fading light yesterday.
Hamersley Inlet
Western wispy spider orchid
(Caladenia microchila)
Camper packed up and time to move on. We get as far as 4 Mile Beach campground before we stop and have a scout around. We only find a few Pterostylis orchids.
4 Mile Beach
Ravensthorpe snail orchid or Coastal snail orchid
(Pterostylis grossa or P. sp. “coastal snail”)
We head into Hopetoun for a bite to eat. Our next point of call is just north of the South Coast Hwy, and is a favourite of ours. We again find a few orchids for our troubles.
Mills Road
Zebra orchid
(Caladenia cairnsiana)
??? hybrid spider orchid
(Caladenia x sp.)
Small mantis orchid
(Caladenia attingens subsp. gracillima)
Cream spider orchid
(Caladenia horistes)
3 orchid species and a hybrid is not a bad haul, however we must keep moving towards home. First up though we stop at the Munglinup Roadhouse for a burger lunch. Driving in we discover some orchids on the roadside, so I jump out to get some photos and Deb heads down to order lunch.
Munglinup Townsite
Esperance white spider orchid
(Caladenia longicauda subsp. crassa)
Common bee orchid
(Diuris decrementa)
Lunch purchased, we move on to Munglinup Nature Reserve to eat and explore.
Zebra orchid
(Caladenia cairnsiana)
Cowslip orchid
(Caladenia flava subsp. flava)
Common bee orchid
(Diuris decrementa)
Esperance white spider orchid
(Caladenia longicauda subsp. crassa)
Jug orchid
(Pterostylis recurva)
Five species found, so happy we made to time to explore the area. We now move on to revisit a location we checked out on Day 1 of this road trip. Lets see if there is anything different now flowering.
Springdale Nature Reserve
??? hybrid spider orchid
(Caladenia x sp.)
Red beaks
(Pyrorchis nigricans)
?? donkey orchid
(Diuris sp.)
??? hybrid spider orchid
(Caladenia x sp.)
Reaching spider orchid
(Caladenia arrecta)
Blue beard
(Pheladenia deformis)
Common bee orchid
(Diuris decrementa)
Esperance white spider orchid
Caladenia longicauda subsp. crassa)
Pink bunny orchid
(Eriochilus scaber subsp. scaber)
Esperance king spider orchid
(Caladenia decora)
Since it is after 3 pm and we still have more than 100kms to home, we decide to leave our orchid exploration at this fruitful location. The hour long drive was a great time to look back on our awesome road trip that started back on the 8th August. The Wheatbelt Way was a great loop that opened up the amazing Western Australian countryside.
Over the 3 weeks on the road we discovered many new locations as well as re-visiting favourite spots. So many orchid species were located along with numerous hybrids which was a pleasant surprise.
We awake to a cool morning, so I take Deb around exploring the area whilst the camper dries out. We discover other orchids as well as the ones I found yesterday afternoon, so the wander around was worth the effort.
Nunijup Lake
Tangled white spider orchid
(Caladenia longicauda subsp. redacta)
Small flowered donkey orchid
(Diuris porrifolia)
Jug orchid
(Pterostylis recurva)
Tenterden yellow spider orchid
(Caladenia straminichila)
Common spider orchid
(Caladenia varians)
Banded greenhood
(Pterostylis vittata)
Little pink fairies
(Caladenia reptans subsp. reptans)
Leaping spider orchid
(Caladenia macrostylis)
Well our next planned location is the amazing Stirling Range National Park, which is quite a distance, so we pack up the camper. We spy more orchids as we slowly leave our campsite, so grab some photos. Finally on the road, with high expectations for the day.
Stirling Range National Park
Cowslip orchid
(Caladenia flava subsp. flava)
Dancing spider orchid
(Caladenia discoidea)
Hare orchid
(Leporella fimbriata)
Western wheatbelt donkey orchid
(Diuris brachyscapa)
Pink bunny orchid
(Eriochilus scaber subsp. scaber)
Little pink fairies
(Caladenia reptans subsp, reptans)
Silky blue orchid
(Cyanicula sericea)
Sugar orchid
(Ericksonella saccharata)
Jug orchid
(Pterostylis recurva)
Blood spider orchid
(Caladenia filifera)
Joseph’s spider orchid
(Caladenia polychroma)
Blue beard
(Pheladenia deformis)
Lemon-scented sun orchid
(Thelymitra antennifera)
Banded greenhood
(Pterostylis vittata)
Rabbit orchid
(Leptoceras menziesii)
Red beaks
(Pyrorchis nigricans)
Common bee orchid
(Diuris decrementa)
??? spider orchid
(Caladenia sp.)
Zebra orchid
(Caladenia cairnsiana)
Ravensthorpe snail orchid
(Pterostylis sp. ‘Ravensthorpe’)
Mosquito orchid
(Cyrtostylis robusta)
Frog greenhood
(Pterostylis sargentii)
Yawning leek orchid
(Prasophyllum hians)
Well we were not disappointed. At least 22 orchid species found which blows our minds. The bush fire caused devastation, however the regrowth of the Australian bush is amazing. It’s now 4pm so we had better move on and find our overnight camp.
Kingia in flower following the bush fire
We struggled to find a camping location so made the decision to book into one of the Gnowangerup Hotel units for the night. We enjoyed a wonderful bar meal and bevy.
Very windy day with some rain. Feeling a bit unwell today, so spent the morning inside. Deb went off to her work at 2pm and I fell asleep in the Lazyboy. Was woken by some really strong winds. Decided then that I can’t waste the whole day, so went out to check on the location shared by Dana S to my post of the 19/7/2020 on my Facebook Page.
Pulling up alongside the road I venture on the south side and it is not long before I stumble across some bee orchids. Over the entire location I came across many bee orchids and they appear to be two of the locally recorded species. Smaller ones with only 2 or so basal leaves seem to be the Common bee orchid (Diuris decrementa) whilst the larger ones may be the Bee orchid (Diuris laxiflora).
Found many Lemon-scented sun orchids (Thelymitra antennifera) however no decent photos obtained as they were hardly open due to the cloudy day and the wind just defeated my attempts. The best are posted for recording purposes.
The Small mantis orchid(Caladenia attingens subsp. gracillima) starts to appear all over the location. The profile photos are great in showing how up-swept the lateral sepals are plus how the tip of the labellum tucks under.
An unexpected find was a Red beak (Pyrorchis nigricans) in flower. No recent fires here so a pleasant surprise find. Also some Cowslip orchids (Caladenia flava subsp. flava) found south and north of the road.
Then near a drainage ditch on the north side of the road I find a selection of orchids in one small location. The most obvious was the Purple enamel orchid (Elythranthera brunonis)as there were 8 flowers in view. As I moved towards them I noticed a small Zebra orchid (Caladenia cairnsiana) and whilst on my knees getting a shot I noticed the Short-sepaled spider orchids (Caladenia brevisura) hiding behind the enamel orchids.
With the light fading, wind still blowing and now being past 5pm I make tracks back home, happy in the knowledge that this new location had turned up 8 and possibly 9 orchid species.
After spending a wonderful weekend with good friends, Warren and Tammy in Hopetoun, we venture north to Ravensthorpe as they are having their annual Wildflower Show, which we have not been to in the 20 years we have lived in Esperance.
The display of wildflowers in the shire hall was amazing so we took a few pics of the orchids they had on display. We then sat down for a cuppa, with scones, jam and cream before making our way to the local lolly shop, Yummylicious Candy Shack for an icecream. No ginger this time though 😦 so I chose macadamia then also purchased a small bag of mixed lollies. It is here we say goodbye to our friends as they head home to Esperance, as we have orchids to find.
So where do we go first, given we are already 185km east of home. You guessed it, another 15kms east to Kukenarup Memorial. As the picnic shelter is already occupied we head straight for the walk trail and immediately find some Lemon-scented sun orchids (Thelymitra antennifera)in bloom. These are by far the most widespread of the yellow sun orchids, as they occur on a line from Shark Bay to Israelite Bay and everywhere south of that line. The dark column lobes are a distinctive feature which also alludes to the Latin name: antennae, to bear .
Very close by another bright orchid of a different colour catches our eye. The Purple enamel orchid (Elythranthera brunonis) glistens in the bright sunshine.
Deb discovers a blue orchid and initially thought it would be a Blue beard however on closer inspection it was an orchid not found at this location before, which is exciting. It is a Blue china orchid (Cyanicula gemmata) which is quite widespread, ranging from Israelite Bay to Kalbarri.
I had just finished saying to Deb how it would be nice to find the Dragon orchids that were at the Wildflower Show, when what do we spy but a Common dragon orchid (Caladenia barbarossa) swaying in the breeze.
Right next door to the lone Dragon orchid we also find a lone Small mantis orchid (Caladenia attingens susp. gracillima) which is smaller than the related Fringed mantis orchid, which can also be found around Ravensthorpe. The labellum calli extend onto the red tip of the labellum, which is another distinguishing feature when comparing the two.
Making our way back to the walk track, as we have detoured a bit towards the Hwy, we come across another type of orchid. This little one appears to be the Short-sepaled spider orchid (Caladenia brevisura) due to the shortly clubbed later sepals and south-easterly location. The only other possibility is the Purple-veined spider orchid, which is pictured earlier at the wildflower Show, and the length of the sepals is definitely a distinctive feature of both types.
Towards the end of the walk trail we discover many more Lemon-scented sun orchids growing under the protection of bushes and also out on the granite growing in the Resurrection bushes.
Right at the end of the trail some Frog greenhoods (Pterostlyis sargentii) are found growing in the Resurrection bushes as well. These are a common inland greenhood growing between Northampton and Grasspatch.
We decide to go down south of the picnic shelter to see if we can locate the Red beaks we had found on previous years. Nothing at all found other than a small spent spider orchid on the edge of a track. We decide to walk along this track which heads west, toward the Phillips River. We are expanding this location as we have never ventured along this track before.
Interestingly, the first orchid found is the common Cowslip orchid (Caladenia flava sp. flava) which is unusual in that no others have been found today. One flower, 3 images.
Further along the track are some more Dragon and Purple enamel orchids.
Then on the south side of the track we stumble across some scattered Red beaks (Pyrorchis nigricans) growing in the white sand. An unusual find, given the area does not appear to have been burnt recently.
Then hiding under a bush is the smallest Blue china orchid I had ever seen. Actually looking at the labellum it appears to be a Granite china orchid (Cyanicula nikulinskyae) as it is also much paler than the typical Blue china orchid which was found earlier today.
After walking this track for about 30mins it seemed to go on forever, so we turned north to make our way back to the picnic area. Pushing up a rise we find many more Small mantis orchids as well as many Jug orchids (Petrostylis recurva), however most were finished for the season, though we took a photo just as a record.
We have now returned close to the Hwy so head west towards the picnic area. Not much found until Deb excitedly comes across a beautiful leek orchid. I believe it to be the Frilled leek orchid (Prasophyllum sargentii) which grows in sandy soils from Kalbarri to Israelite Bay during August to October.
We make it back to the picnic shelter and right there in the shade of the taller shrubs is a patch of Common dragon orchids. Photos taken but no decent ones so will not post any, however the short video seems decent enough to post.
Needing food we head off east past Ravensthorpe and onto Munglinup Roadhouse to get another burger, as they were awesome last time. Much busier today so the wait will be longer, so Deb suggests I go exploring nearby for any orchids.
Great idea my wonderful wife had. I ventured over the road to the east and immediately spied yellow flowers that looked promising. The bright and beautiful Cowslips are flowering as are the Lemon-scented sun orchids. Also a red coloured Small mantis orchid and the usual greener ones are found together with some Purple enamel orchids.
To top off this location I found three different species of white spider orchids. First up is the Common spider orchid (Caladenia varians), followed by an Esperance white spider orchid (Caladenia longicauda susp. crassa) then finally a small orchid I cannot Identify. Any help with this is appreciated.
Back to the roadhouse I go and we enjoy eating the awesome burgers before we head off to our next location. We plan to visit the spot on Boydell Road where we had seen possible hammer orchid leaves on a previous visit. I am driving and we go past the spot and travel some 20 kms before realising. We turn around and locate our marker and pull into a farmers gate leeway as we are only in the Ford, so no 4WD capability to park off the road.
Whilst we start our search on the north of the road the farmer comes to check on what we are up to. They check our car, drive up and down the road a bit then obviously decide we are not a threat and leave us be. Unfortunately the leaves we planned to check out had not produced any flowers and were dying off, however we did locate some other orchids. First up was a beautiful pair of Heberle’s spider orchid (Caladenia heberleana) which occur from Augusta to Cape Arid during September and October. The long clubbed sections of the sepals and having clubbed petals are distinguishing features. Other specimens are also found upon further searching.
Other orchids were found as well. Red beaks were found, which confirms rare individuals will flower without a need for a recent bushfire. Purple enamel orchids and Dancing spider orchids (Caladenia discoidea) round off the day. A funky name however, it is derived from the Latin discoideus alluding to the rounded shape of the labellum.
It is now just after 5pm so we had better make tracks for home. As we are closer to the Cascade Road intersection than we first thought we decide to take it back down to the hwy as it is a sealed road.
A great day orchid hunting, to finish off a great weekend. Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show provided us with the nudge to explore the area and we were rewarded with at least 16 different orchid species.
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
Hypochromic variant
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
Elythanthera brunonis
Common bee orchid
Diuris decrementa
Cowslip orchid
Caladenia flava subsp. ?
Rattle beaks
Lyperanthus serratus
White mignonette orchid
Microtis alba
Custard orchid
Thelymitra villosa
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
Caladenia decora
Laughing leek orchid
Prasophyllum macrostachyum
Heberle’s spider orchid
Caladenia heberleana
Common bee orchid
Diuris decrementa
Bearded bird orchid
Pterostylis turfosa
Purple enamel orchid
Elythranthera brunonis
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.
After having breakfast we make our way north to Dudinin which was a quaint little town but with no real prospects for orchid hunting we move on further north to a place called Jitarning. We park next to the CBH wheat bins and head into the bush adjacent. The area proves to be thick with Donkey orchids with a small patch of Pink candy orchids (Caladenia hirta subsp. rosea) found.
Pale to deep pink flowers
Upright labellum
Spreading petals and sepals with a narrow upright labellum
Labellum with short fringe segments and four or more rows of calli
The donkey orchids appear to be Yellow granite donkey orchids (Diuris hazeliae) as they are larger and brighter yellow than the ones found in Harrismith.
Tri-lobed labellum with broad, spreading lateral lobes and a broad, flattened to convex mid lobe
Bubble head
Reflexed, usually crossed lateral sepals
Visitor on 1 petal
Broad petals and dorsal sepal
So many donkey orchids but we need to move on. Well not to far as we cross the Williams-Kondinin Road and visit the bush the other side. The only orchid found over this side was the Midget greenhood (Pterostylis mutica). On walking back to the Triton we discover the area we had been exploring was in fact the Jitarning Nature Reserve.
United dorsal sepal and petals form a hood
Flowers only 4.5 to 5.5mm across
Next stop is the North Jitarning Nature Reserve a few kilometres north on the western side of the road. After parking the Triton we make our way west into the bush and our first find is the ever faithful Purple enamel orchid (Elythanthera brunonis). In fact they were everywhere in this reserve.
Glossy purple flowers
Small membranous labellum with two large black basal calli
Up to 3 flowers per stem
Spreading petals and sepals
Underside of petals and sepals spotted in colouring
Further hunting and we found some Frog greenhoods (Pterostylis sargentii) growing underneath some bushes.
United petals and dorsal sepal form hood
50 – 200mm high with up to 10 stem leaves
Short lateral sepals
Green to dark brown, white striped flowers
Then even further hidden under bushes Deb spies a bird orchid. Further specimens found, which all appear to be Dwarf bird orchids (Pterosylis sp. ‘dwarf’) as they are found between Eurardy Station and Peak Charles during August and September. We first found this orchid back in August 2016 near Corrigin.
Short lateral sepals which are joined at the base
Two close neighbours
A distinctive feather-like labellum with fine fringe segments
Short-beaked bird orchid
Further Fringe mantis orchids are found as are more Donkey orchids.
Comb-like fringe segments to labellum
Spreading petals
Greenish-yellow, red-tipped labellum
Up-swept lateral sepals
Unsure of the species of this one
Broad petals and dorsal sepal
Up to 7 flowers per stem
Lateral sepals reflexed and usually crossed
We were also lucky enough to find a spider orchid, which I am naming, Red thread spider orchid (Caladenia erythronema) as they flower August to early October in locations between Nyabing and Mukinbudin.
Variably dull red, pinkish red or dull cream to creamy yellow with dull red markings
Two rows of red to cream calli
Pendulous petals and sepals covered in deep-red hairs
We then make tracks for Kulin, to fuel up, then head off on the Tin Horse Hwy. After checking out some of the great Tin horses we make our way to Buckley’s Breakaway for lunch.