Australia So Much to See
Caladenia ensata, Stumpy Spider Orchid
A medium to small spider orchid with cream to green petals which may have a faint
red stripe down them, yellow clubbed ends and a fringed labellum with a dark red tip. This one lacks the red on the petals.
Dark red thick calli cover the red part of labellum and extend in a strip into the throat.
Spring
Bridgetown, South West Region,
Western Australia, preferring winter wet areas. Usually found near the coast around Augusta, Denmark and Albany.
Caladenia dorrienii, Cossack Spider orchid
This species is classified as Threatened due to the limited number of places it is found.
A short and small spider orchid with cream petals in a distinctive form of petals curled under, reminiscent of the style of Cossack
dancers. Petals have red tips. The labellum is white and triangular with short calli, and fringes are reduced to white pointed serrations
on the labellum edge. Stems and leaves are hairy. Buds are cream with red stripes along them.
Found in only a few limits sites in the shires of Beverley, Boyup Brook, Cranbrook, Kojonup, and Wagin, favouring damp soils and winter wet areas.
Caladenia filifera, Blood Spider Orchid
A deep red slender Spider orchid which tends to grow in tight clumps. Darker red petal
extensions. Labellum is all red with darker edges and lines, and short stumpy fringes. Column tip is cream or yellow. Stem is hairy, and some hairiness on leaf (below left).
August
Seen in August at Goomalling amongst Caladenia filifera.