Australia So Much to See

Caladenia polychroma, Josephs 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.

Caladenia petrensis, Rock Spider Orchid

A medium sized cream to pale yellow Spider orchid which grows to 35 centimetres tall. Labellum has red stripes and thick white calli.  Fringes are white, blunt tipped and slanted forward along the edges of the labellum. A short hairy leaf. 

August

Caron dam, Perenjori shire, and found through the Mid West and northern Wheatbelt between Mullewa and Coorow and inland to Paynes Find. 

Caladenia radiata, Ray Spider Orchid

A colourful Spider orchid with stiff straight petals radiating out from the centre.  Petals cream to yellow with red streaks down them, and uppermost petal yellow to green.  Labellum is help upwards and tip is red, with dark red calli extending into the red section.  Fringes are long, yellow or green, and may have red touches.  A long hairy very leaf (one photographed here has been partially eaten) and stem.    

October November

Seen in the Southern Bridgetown-Greenbushes Shire, and found in suitable environments between Mandurah and Albany, and westwards into the South West and lower Great Southern regions. Favours winter swamps, and can flower more prolifically following fire.