Spider – WA Orchid Adventures

2018 Road Trip – Holland Track and Beyond – Day 1

24/08/2018

After a morning at work, my 1/2 RDO arrives, so I race home to catch a bite to eat with Tim before we make our final pack of the Triton and camper. Off to Puma for diesel, then back home as we forgot the porta loo. Finally on the road by 2.30pm with our first planned stop being Overshot Hill rest area north of Ravensthorpe. However Debbie has other ideas. At 4.30pm she pulls over to our spot on Mills Road, just past Munglinup. I jump out of the Triton and immediately spy a small clump of spider orchids. They appear to be the Cream spider orchid (Caladenia horistes), which flower August to early October in a range from Fitzgerald River National Park to Balladonia.

Creamy-white, red-striped labellum

Nice clumping of orchids

Spreading to pendulous petals and lateral sepals

Relatively large labellum

Up to 2 cream to creamy-yellow flowers

Close by are our first South coast donkey orchids (Diuris sp. ‘south coast’) of the season. These are found between Denmark and Munglinup during the period, late June to August.

Up to 10 flowers per plant

Tri-lobed labellum with broad, spreading lateral lobes and a broad, flattened to convex mid lobe.

Recurved lateral sepals

Broad petals and dorsal sepal

Also found were some Western tiny blue orchids (Cyanicula aperta), which flower August to early October in a range from Dumbleyung to Mt Ragged.

Reddish-mauve prominently tri-lobed labellum

Short horizontal petals and lateral sepals

A few metres away Debbie finds some Hairy-stemmed snail orchids (Pterostylis sp. ‘inland’) and other spider orchids.

Erect lateral seapls

Stem view

Common inland, extremely variable snail orchid

We then nearly step on some Zebra orchids (Caladenia cairnsiana) which flower August to early November in a range from Esperance to Lancelin. These were intermixed with more spider orchids.

Short hanging petals and lateral sepals

Red striped labellum with dense central band of calli

Glandular apex to labellum

Nearly 5pm so we make our way to our planned overnight stay at Overshot Hill rest area in the Nature Reserve of the same name. Unsure if the other spider orchids are also Cream spider orchids or other species from the Wispy complex. Feel free to comment as to the species name for the images below.

Spreading petals and lateral sepals

Standing tall in a field of moss

White, red-striped labellum with white calli

Quite large labellum

Back to back

Dorsal sepal weighed down by water droplets

Helm’s Arboretum in August

19/08/2018

We are busy organising ourselves for our 2 week road trip, so given this is our final weekend, we take a few hours break and head out to Helm’s Arboretum (Mud Map SE35) to see what is flowering now. We make our way to the plot we usually find many snail orchids, however the first orchid found is the small Western Tiny Blue Orchid (Cyanicula aperta). These little beauties are found August to early October in a range from Dumbleyung and Mt Ragged.

Blue-mauve flowers

50 – 150mm tall

Short horizontal spreading petals and lateral sepals

Two rows of bright yellow calli

Then we stumble across the snail orchids we had come to see. Still unable to name this species due to it not matching up with any of my reference books on location and or description. Variation in rosettes may infer they are actually 2 species.

Standing tall with a shorter version

Sparse rosette of long stemmed leaves

Not a slender snail

Rosette shot

Short variant

Narrowly clubbed sepals

Next I find the usual Esperance king spider orchids (Caladenia decora) in flower.

Size of flower compared to my hand

White red-tipped labellum

Spreading petals and lateral sepals

Whilst I take photos of the spider orchids Deb gets chatting to a fellow orchid enthusiast who shares with us her location of some Southern curly locks (Thelymitra uliginosa) within Helm’s Arboretum. We make our way to the said location and after around 15 mins of searching we find these small orchids flowering in the beautiful sunshine. The flowers themselves are only a 10c piece in size. These flower August and September in a range from Northcliffe and Mt Manypeaks with disjunct populations in Esperance and Perth.

2 erect ear like lateral lobes

Distinctive column with mid lobe and two erect ear like lobes

Up to 2, rarely 3, flowers per stem

Distinctive striped flowers

Opens in bright sunshine

Typical sun orchid- facing the sun

Spiral leaf – Narrow up to 90mm in length

Flowers 20 – 30 mm accross

100 to 300mm in height

Forward projecting mid lobe to column

Deep blue-mauve striped flowers

Distinctive column

So happy to have found some Southern curly-locks as the one and only previously found plant we could not be located this year.

15hr Sunday Drive

12/08/2018

Saying our goodbyes to Kirstie and Hamish we set off for a leisurely trip home to Esperance. Usually a 7 to 8 hr drive over 725km, we however take 15hrs, as we make numerous stops to hunt for orchids. Our first destination is Mount Dale in the Helena National Park. The wind is very chilly, however we brave this on our search for some orchid colour. We are not disappointed. First colour spotted is “yellow”. A Donkey orchid is found, but which one?? I’m making the call for the Winter donkey orchid (Diuris brumalis) which flower late June to August in a range from Jurien Bay to Collie. They prefer lateritic or granitic soils and up here in the hills that is the soil types encountered. Other specimens were found throughout our search of this area.

Yet to fully open

Short, erect, very broad dorsal sepal

Hanging lateral sepals

Broad, elongated petals

Up to 15 flowers

Tri-lobed labellum

Close to our first donkey the next colour found is “pink”. Little pink fairy orchid (Caladenia reptans subsp. reptans) is found growing in the shelter of a granite boulder. These little beauties flower July to early October in a range from Northampton to Esperance. Singles, pairs and groupings are found in our extended search.

Deb then finds the colour “green”. A small patch of snail orchids hidden in a bush so only one visible for a photo. Could not see the rosette however based on location, pointed hood with brownish tones and medium sized lateral sepals, I will be naming it as Slender snail orchid (Pterostylis sp. ‘crinkled leaf”). These flower late June to September in a large range from Perth down to Albany. Another patch yet to fully flower was found and the rosettes appear to confirm my classification.

Often pointed hood

Pushing up through thick scrubbery

Crinkled leaf rossette

Another species of “mixed” colour is found by Deb. Once again hidden or protected near a granite boulder. It appears to be an Autumn leek orchid (Prasophyllum parvifolium) which has been fertilised.

Pinkish tones belies the species

Possible pollinator on one of the flowers

Next is a similarly “mixed” coloured orchid, which I found after pushing into the scrub for a few metres. Firstly I found a large patch of leaves and then with a slower look some orchids flowering were discovered. The genus of Cyrtostylis is known, but which species is it? By the smaller , duller flowers they must be the Midge orchid (Cyrtostylis huegelli) which is found from Kalbarri to east of Esperance during July and September.

Many leaves, only a few flowering so far

Forward facing labellum, sepals and petals.

Dull red, green, fawn flowers

Narrower labellum than the related Mosquito orchid

Well Mount Dale proved a good hunting ground with 5 species flowering, plus Jug and Bird orchids yet to flower found. Already 2.5 hrs (65kms) into our drive home, so we better move on, or we will break our 12 hr record for the drive home. Next stop planned is Williams Road (Mud Map SE6) however we detour into Westdale Road (Mud Map SE5) to see if we can find some of the species listed in the guide. First off we find the Jug orchid (Pterostylis recurva) which flowers August to October in a range from Geraldton and Israelite Bay.

One flower in 3 stages of bloom

Triple header

Deb is off exploring further whilst I slowly finish taking phone and camera pics of the Jug orchid. Only 2 mtrs away I find the Blood spider orchid (Caladenia filifera) and call Deb back to see. On the way back she also finds other specimens less than a metre off her original walk track. They are so hard to see until you find them , then they stick out more easily as we continue searching.

Clumping habit

Side profile

Uniformly blood red flowers

Blood red in colour

Glistening in the sun

Long pendulous petals and lateral sepals

Disbursed around the area are Common donkey orchids (Diuris corymbosa) which flower August to October in a range from Gingin to Bunbury and inland to near Brookton, our actual location funnily enough.

Up to eight flowers per plant

Often crossed lateral sepals

Broad erect dorsal sepal

Another new find for the season is the Blue beard (Phelandenia deformis) which flower late May to October in a range from Murchison River to Israelite Bay. Only 3 small flowers found but still it is a new one for this season.

Twins

Blue-bearded labellum

Short spreading petals and sepals

It is now 4 hrs since we left and we have only covered 90kms of the distance home. Better get a move on. 20kms later we arrive at Williams Road (Mud Map SE6) where we had planned to explore for at least an hour as Deb had quickly checked this out on Tuesday when she drove to Perth, when she found at least 4 species flowering. First up we locate some more Common donkey orchids before Deb calls me over to a patch of at least 3 species in close proximity.

Broad elongated petals

Short, labellum mid lobe

First up are Banded greenhoods (Pterostylis vittata) and Hairy-stemmed snail orchids (Pterostylis sp. ‘inland’).

Up to 14 stem leaves and 25 flowers per plant

Standing guard

Then as previously found in this location, there are Shell orchids everywhere. Many are finished as they flower from May to August. Mud Map records both Red and Brown veined shell orchids here in July so we have missed the peak flowering period it seems. From the flowering plants I believe them to be Red-veined shell orchids (Pterostylis hamiltonii) as they are darker coloured and most have the labellum protruding from the hood formed by the dorsal sepal and petals. These flower in a range from Toodyay to the Stirling Range in woodlands and Rock Sheoak thickets.

Pointed hood

Prominently protruding, long, narrow, curved labellum

Deep “V” formed by lateral sepals

Reddish-brown and white flwers

Up to 6 stem leaves

Also located close-by are some Little pink fairy orchids. So 4 species all within a 3 square metres area. Great find Deb.

Leaf tinged purple on the underside

Squat petals and lateral sepals

Labellum – Gives the common name away

Clumping habit

Shell neighbours

Other species found during our search were Dark banded greenhood (Pterostylis sanguinea) and Jug orchid. Also found was a meeting of Banded greenhood and Shells plus a Banded greenhood with a huge inflorescence.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Large inflorescence

It’s now after 1.15pm and we have only travelled 110km of the 725km trip. Back to the Triton and a huge patch of spent shells is found plus the very first Cowslip orchid (Caladenia flava subsp. flava) for the season. These flower from north of Geraldton to Israelite Bay during July to December.

Carpets of shell orchids

Such bright yellow

Onwards to Brookton where we grabbed a Parmi Wrap for lunch. (Parma for Farmer – raising funds for drought relief in NSW/QLD). Eating whilst driving to catch up some time our next planned stop is the Corrigin Wildflower Trail which goes around the airport and is part of the Corrigin Nature Reserve. Taking the road in from the Dog Cemetery our first find are some more Little pink fairies

Nothing else found so onwards we go at a slow pace, then I jump out to walk and find some Frog greenhoods (Pterostylis sargentii) which flower between July and October in a range from Northampton to Grasspatch. They are very small and growing underneath bushes, making photo taking a lay down on the job task. Further Frog greenhoods are found along the trail.

Cupped lateral sepals

Green to dark-brown, white banded flowers

Bright green colouring in the sunshine

Up to 6 flowers per plant

Glistening in the sunshine

Up to 10 stem leaves

Fleshy, tri-lobed, frog-like labellum

Further along the track whilst walking I spy some nice snail orchids. They are the Robust snail orchid (Pterostylis dilatata). Another grouping was found further along by Deb whilst driving slowly along.

Standing up to 150mm in height

Erect, clubbed lateral sepals

3 to 5 stem leaves

Nice group shot

A sole Jug orchid was also found just yawning like a Pelican and further along what appears to be Pterostylis arbuscular which is a Mallee form of banded greenhood. No common name yet.

Slowly opening – Pelican yawning!!

Not yet opened

Finally a donkey orchid was found. Based on location alone this must be the Western wheatbelt donkey orchid (Diuris brachyscapa) which flowers July to September between York, Tenterden and Ravensthorpe. Corrigin is slightly east of the line York to Ravensthorpe.

Pale yellow, brown marked flowers

Tri-lobed labellum

Up to four flowers per palnt

Short, broad dorsal sepal

Narrow, hanging, often reflexed, crossed lateral sepals

Nearly 4pm, or 8hrs into our trip home and we have only completed 220km of the 725km required. Best move on to our next planned stop, Macrocarpa Trail near Kulin. Just before 5pm Deb finds our first orchid of this trail. Appears to be Hairy-stemmed snail orchids.

up to 3 stem leaves

Standing up to 150mm in height

Smaller specimen

Time for a chat

Sentry

Lateral sepals up to 35mm in length

Extremely variable species

Side n rear views

Also found further Frog greenhoods, Robust snail orchids, Dark banded greenhoods and another possible Pterostlyis arbuscular.

Nice double header

Fleshy appearance

Variable coloured greenhood ..Possible common name

Then as the light is fading fast we venture into the bush and finally there they are.. Spider orchids in flower. We now rush to get as many photos as possible .. They are so small and with the fading light our photos are not the best but we need to record the find. From the location and size I believe we found the Common spider orchid (Caladenia vulgata) and the Pendant spider orchid (Caladenia pendens subsp. pendens) which both flower during August. The former July to October and the latter August to early October. The Common spider orchid ranges from Kalbarri to Esperance whilst the Pendant spider orchid ranges from Wongan Hills and Walpole. The Length of the petals and lateral sepals are a distinguishing feature.

Size comparison

Found in a variety of habitats

Possible pollinators

Creamy-white flower

Tangle of petals and sepals

creamy-white red striped labellum

Latin, vulgaris means common, ordinary

Standing 150 to 300mm high

Slightly less pendulous that the Common spider orchid

Long pendulous petals and lateral sepals

Relatively broad red-striped labellum

Size comparison

The sun finally sets on our orchid hunting so we make tracks via Lake Grace for Steak Burger / Fish n chips dinner. Then after 15hrs we arrive home at 11pm. Long day however very happy at finding 20 species of orchid.

Spiders awaken

28/07/2018

After another wonderful brunch at the Esperance Bird and Animal Park we make our way to Helms Arboretum (Mud Map SE35 ) to see if anything has flowered since we last visited a fortnight ago.

First stop was just off the highway where we decided to jump out and check closer, even though we could see nothing from looking out the Triton windows. Deb found the first orchids of the day. The Hairy-stemmed snail orchids (Pterostylis sp. ‘inland’) were in hoods, spread over the entire area. Also found close-by were some Banded greenhoods (Pterostylis vittata).

Variable height, 50 to 150mm

Watch out behind you!!

Erect, narrow-ended lateral sepals

Snail and greenhood meet

Side profile

Elongated, slightly cupped lateral sepals

Small hood of snails

Further into the arboretum we find our first spider orchids of the season. Only two individual plants were found flowering and both are the Esperance king spider orchid (Caladenia decora). These flower August to October in a range from Bremer Bay to Cape Arid.

Side profile

Single, erect, hairy leaf 90 – 120mm long. Small friend nearby

4 or more rows of pale to deep red calli

Long lateral sepals on this one

White, red-tipped labellum

Clubbed sepals

Other snail orchids are found which appear to be a different species, as they lack the hairy stem. Checking with my esteemed colleague Margaret P. it appears to be an unnamed species currently termed Pterostylis sp. ‘Helms Arboretum’

Short, thickened lateral sepals

Beautifully formed snail orchid

Rosette 10-15mm across, 2 stem leaves

I also found a new patch of what appears to be Western tiny blue orchids (Cyanicula aperta) getting ready to bloom.

Last orchid found for the day was a nice specimen of a Dark banded greenhood (Pterostylis sanguinea)

Multiple stem leaves – Up to 12

insect-like labellum

Nodding their heads in respect

As usual Helms Arboretum delivers.

Helms Arboretum – We did miss you !!

25/09/2017

After a weekend of fishing we head out to Helms Arboretum (Mud Map SE35) on a long weekend Monday, to see what has changed whilst we were away on our Road Trip. First up are the usual suspects : Common bee orchids (Diuris decrementa), Cowslip orchids (Caladenia flava subsp flava), Lemon-scented sun orchid (Thelymitra antennifera), Purple enamel orchid (Elythranthera brunonis) and Esperance king spider orchid (Caladenia decora)

Profile of twins

Pale yellow colouration

Twisted up

Shimmery appearance

Looks very glossy when wet

These guys were all found prior to our Road Trip as well, so the search now is for anything new. Well we are not disappointed, as we find a patch with many White spider orchids. Some appear to be the Rigid white spider orchid (Caladenia longicauda subsp. rigidula) as the petals and lateral sepals are stiffly spread. One had white fringe segments and the other red, same with the calli. This orchid is found between Ravensthorpe and Israelite Bay from August to early October.

White labellum with 4 or more rows of pale red calli

Relatively, short spreading petals and lateral sepals

Other white spider orchids were found which seem to be another species or subspecies. Some appear to be the Esperance white spider orchid (Caladenia longicauda subsp. crassa) which flowers August to early October as well, but ranges from Jerramungup to Cape Arid. The flowers are larger with broader petals and sepals.

Large white labellum, with narrow fringe segments

Broad spreading petals and lateral sepals

The other appears to be the Reclining spider orchid (Caladenia cruscula) due to its short labellum and short petals and lateral sepals. This one flowers August to September and ranges between Salmon Gums and Mt Ragged. So we are a bit south of this range

Narrow fringe segments

Short labellum

With so many variables and possibilities my naming of the above orchids is quite likely incorrect, so please let me know your thoughts. However the next orchid is more recognisable. The Zebra orchid (Caladenia cairnsiana) can only be confused with the Dwarf Zebra orchid which is found in inland areas and has a incurved dorsal sepal.

Lovers dancing

Up-swept, red-striped labellum

Petals and lateral sepals hang down surrounding the ovary

Erect dorsal sepal

Final orchids found were more Cowslip orchids in good numbers. Some pics taken then off we go to have our big catch of fish weighed.

Held up from the ground

Quite a good clumping

This was our final orchid adventure of the 2017 West Australian orchid season. I hope you have enjoyed reading about our adventures as much as we enjoyed having them. 2018 will prove a more challenging year as we move into our newly built home in April/May. So we will be busy painting, putting up fences, laying lawn, landscaping and numerous other tasks. This will reduce the hours available for Orchid Adventures, so we will see how the new year progresses. Until then take care.

Last Hoorah of our Holidays

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).

Glossy flowers

Forward projecting lateral sepals

Pinkish colour variant

Small, yellow, brown marked flowers

Two large, black basal calli

Twins

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.

Great family shot

Common, red marked yellow flowers

Up to five flowers per plant

Distinctive red and white flowers

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

No scrub will stop them finding the sun

Red colouring is varaible

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.

Beautiful little hybrid

Forward facing dorsal sepal, typical of C. nana

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.

Road Trip – Day 20 – Harrismith to Home

20/9/2017

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

Underside of petals and sepals spotted in colouring

Spreading petals and sepals

Small membranous labellum with two large black basal calli

Up to 3 flowers per stem

Further hunting and we found some Frog greenhoods (Pterostylis sargentii) growing underneath some bushes.

Short lateral sepals

United petals and dorsal sepal form hood

Green to dark brown, white striped flowers

50 – 200mm high with up to 10 stem leaves

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.

A distinctive feather-like labellum with fine fringe segments

Short lateral sepals which are joined at the base

Two close neighbours

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.

Picture stop

A Charlton Horston Epic

Ned’s Horse

PLC Piping Pony

Erosion artwork

The breakaway is massive

Harder rock than the surrounding soil

Amazing colours

On the walk from the car park / picnic area we find some Donkey orchids. Nothing else found on the walk around the breakaway, however it was an impressive sight.

Reflexed, usually crossed lateral sepals

Tri-lobed labellum with broad, spreading lateral lobes and a broad, flattened to convex mid lobe

2 – 3 basal leaves and up to 7 flowers

Predominately yellow, brown marked flowers

Erect petals and reflexed dorsal sepal

We now head further east, till we again reach Dragon Rocks Nature Reserve. At the northern end of the reserve, whilst earlier on the trip we were at the southern end. We find what we hoped was the road south, which dissects the reserve, and travel along slowly with heads out the windows looking for orchids. They proved more elusive than before but we did find our first ones. A finished Jug orchid then some Frog greenhoods.

Well past it’s best

Green to dark brown, white striped flowers

Petals and dorsal sepal form a hood

It was more than a half hour later, before any more orchids were found. Red beaks (Pyrorchis nigricans) were a surprise find.

Up to 7 red and white flowers

Short spreading petals and lateral sepals

Large fleshy, oval, dark green and red speckled leaf

Prominently curved dorsal sepal forming hood over the column

Further south we come across some spider orchids. From their appearance I will name these Chameleon spider orchid (Caladenia dimidia) due to the yellowish colouring, dark brownish tail filaments and backswept slightly elevated petals.

Petals backwards, elevated to horizontal

Petals and sepals with dark brownish tail filaments

Dorsal sepal erect to incurved, lateral sepals deflexed to drooping, petals backswept, usually elevated

Small white, red striped labellum with dentate fringe segments and two rows of white, sometimes red-tipped calli

Creamy-white to pale-yellow flowers

A solitary Cowslip orchid (Caladenia flava subsp. flava) and Jug orchid (Pterostylis recurva) were found a little further down the track, however as time was slipping away and we had previously visited the south of the Dragon Rocks N. R., we headed straight for our last stop of the day, being the Rock View Nature Reserve.

Bright distinctive orchid

Short spreading petals and sepals

United petals and dorsal sepal forms hood over the column

Green, brown and white flowers

It is now past 5.30pm when we arrive at Rock View N. R. so we quickly have a look around. First orchid I find is the Midget greenhood, whilst Debbie finds more spider orchids.

Midget greenhood

100 – 200mm high

Midget greenhood

Pterostylis mutica

From the appearance I believe these to be further Chameleon spider orchids.

Spreading petals and lateral sepals

Relatively small labellum

White, red-striped labellum with dentate fringe segments

Creaming white to pale yellowish flowers, occasionally with variable reddish toning

Two rows of white or red-tipped calli

A common variable inland spider orchid

Due to the inclement weather we did not wish to set up camp, however as we were unable to find overnight accommodation, this stop proved to be the final stop of our 2017 Road Trip.

11 orchid species found on the final day.