Australia So Much to See
Caladenia validinervia, (formerly Caladenia sp. Muir Highway), Lake Muir Spider Orchid
A small wispy spider orchid with slender cream
to yellow petals with faint red stripe and red extensions. Those below with broader petals may be a hybrid with Caladenia
varians (formerly Caledenia vulgata) as all were flowering in the same small area.
August September
Bridgetown
Caladenia validinervia is a Priority 1 category plant. These are known from only a few (generally less than five) populations, all of which are under immediate threat. They are candidates for declaration as rare flora.
This small Spider orchid, first recorded in 1983, has been confirmed found in only very few locations, between Rocky Gully and Collie; in the Cranbrook, Manjimup, Bridgetown and West Arthur shire areas
Caladenia reptans subsp. reptans, Dwarf Pink Fairy orchid, Little Pink Fairy orchid
Pink to bright pink or mauve with shade variations,
five petals, with a maroon to dark red tip to the labellum which has a slight point at centre top. Inner side of wings on labellum
have fine maroon lines. Some are found in a lilac shade and these have a purple labellum tip. Can be found in pure
white. One or two flowers per stem and often grows in clusters. Underside of leaves are a shiny dark red (at right).
Flowers vary between one centimetre tall to five centimetres tall. Usually close to ground with stems varying from two to ten
centimetres, but I have seen one at 24 centimetres.
Differs from Caladenia latifolia which often has flowers a softer pink
colour than the typical bright pink of Caladenia reptans. Coloured labellum tip is usually V shaped at the top and petals longer
and thinner. Inner side of wings at top of column usually dark. Back of foliage is green, with leaf wider and more oval
shaped than Caladenia reptans.
Spring
Bridgetown, South West Region, Western Australia and occurs in the Coastal Wheatbelt, Perth,
South West and Great Southern Regions
The subspecies Caladenia reptans subsp. impensa is found north of Geraldton, mostly around Kalbarri.
A small spider orchid with cream to yellow
petals with faint red stripe and red extensions. This specimen has petals held out stiffly.
August September
Bridgetown, South West Region, Western Australia. Caladenia varians (formerly Caladenia vulgata) is found throughout the South West, Great Southern, Perth, Wheatbelt, and Mid West regions, extending into the Goldfields. Basically anywhere south west of a line between Kalbarri and Esperance
August September
Bridgetown, South West Region, Western Australia
Chamaescilla corymbosa Blue squill buds and foliage in photo top left.
Caladenia straminichila, (formerly Caladenia sp. “Moodiarrup”), Tenterden Spider Orchid
A small wispy cream to yellow orchid, with
red petal extensions, and red stripes on rear of petals. A fine red stripe centrally down the petals may be fund in some specimens. Petals have a striped appearance with three self coloured stripes down them. Wide based labellum has short fringes on margins,
red markings and lumpy translucent calli. Leaf is slender 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 uliginosa subsp. uliginosa, Darting Spider Orchid
A medium sized spider orchid, which stands around thirty centimetres
high. Greenish cream petals, and a labellum with a wide dark red tip. It is not found in large numbers.
This orchid readily
hybridises with white spider orchids, such as Caladenia longicauda, producing a principally white orchid with a red tipped labellum,
which are seen more readily than Caladenia uliginosa subsp. uliginosa itself. See hybrids.
Favouring edges of winter-wet
clay flats, the name uliginosa mean Swampy.
October
Bridgetown, South West region, Western Australia, and is found between Perth and
Albany in the south western part of the Wheatbelt and Great Southern, extending into the South West region.
