Australia So Much to See
Caladenia nana subsp. nana, Little Pink Fan Orchid (above and below)
A tiny pink orchid, around one centimetre across, from a base leaf with reverse side red or red tinted striping. Lower two petals partially fused. One or several on a stem. These were found in close proximity, mostly in the strong pink colour, but some in a pastel pinky mauve shade, and one cluster in white. Above pale pink and below left white, and below bright pink. These flower more prolifically following a fire.
Late September/October
A small Spider Orchid with yellow petals, the upper ones striped with red. Red labellum with raspberry like tip. The arms pointed outwards above is opening and later had arms held out like above right. Leaf at right
Caladenia polychroma, Joseph’s Spider Orchid
A small wispy shiny cream red spider orchid, with red petal extensions, and red colouring
on rear of petals which may be a stripe or solid red. Colours are very variable hence the name (from coat of many colours). Petals are generally held out stiffly. Wide based labellum has short fringes on margins, red markings and lumpy translucent calli. Leaf is of a medium width, and hairy.
September
Boyup Brook (Mayanup) in the South West Region, Western Australia and occurs in the
inland South West, and into adjacent areas of the Wheatbelt and Great Southern regions.
A very small white Orchid of around one centimetre across (above), with maroon speckled rear of petals. White labellum. Leaf above right
Caladenia x erminea, Dusky Fairy Orchid, is a named hybrid between Caladenia marginata and Caladenia flava (above). This
particular group were marked like paler Caladenia flava, but with the shape and size of Caladenia marginata. The rear of the petals
were speckled like Caladenia marginata, a little paler in shade. Growing on the margins of a winter wet area, following burn.
Like Caladenia marginata, they are respondent to fire.
