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Sources used for identification of wildflowers shown on these pages and regions where they occur see Credits
 
These pages will feature some of the wildflowers we have photographed in Western Australia, and where possible, identified.  If you are able to help identify further flowers, or correct any I may have wrong, please contact us.
 
Information given for each species will give botanical name, known common names, describe the flower, give time of year it flowered, and where it was photographed, and the areas it occurs in.  Names have been matched to Florabase which has also been used to show distribution.
 
See some of these wildflower in larger sized photos on our Flickr pages.
  
Home > Lists and Links > Nature in Australia > Alphabetical Wildflower Index > Wildflowers C-9
Cryptostylis ovata, Slipper Orchid, Tongue Orchid, Djubac (which applied to a number of orchid species with edible tubers.
From an abundance of perennial pointed orchid leaves which sit semi upright rather than flat on the ground and have a white line down the centre, only some will flower.  Flowers are green or cream and insignificant with five thin petals from the base of the labellum, with the obvious part being the reddish brown labellum (tongue) which is upside-down compared to most other orchids.  This labellum has a net-like pattern in dark maroon-red. 
There are multiple flowers up the stem, opening progressively, with only two or three being open at the same time.  Flower stalks can reach well over a metre in height. Flowers above showing the under-side (top) of the labellum, looking into the centre of the flower.  Column at flower centre on above left.
November-May, with some plants having a very long flowering season as flowers open up the stem.
Bridgetown, South West region, Western Australia and found around Perth, through much of the South West and in the lower Great Southern regions.

Cyanicula sericea (formerly Caladenia sericea 2000), Silky Blue Orchid.

A shiny blue or purple five petalled orchid, around four to five centimetres across.  Hairy leaf shown below left.   

Late September/October

Bridgetown, and found through the South West, Great Southern, Perth, and into the Wheatbelt regions, and along the south coast to Esperance. 

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Cyanicula gemmata (formerly Caladenia sericea 2000), Blue China Orchid.

A small blue five petalled orchid, around 1.5 centimetres across.  Colours of petal and labellum vary.  Hairy leaf shown below above right

September

Bridgetown and Tonebridge (Boyup Brook), and found through the Mid West, Wheatbelt, Perth, South West, Great Southern regions, and along the south coast to Esperance. 

F
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Crypto means hidden and stylis refers to the style, being the stalk between the ovary and the stigma which collects the pollen. This is hidden underneath the big red tongue or labellum, as the flower is upside-down, with the flower petals being the narrow green ones at the base of the labellum. 

 

Ovata means egg shaped, and usually refers to the leaves.  Cryptostylis ovata is the only orchid in the southern parts of Western Australia to have perennial foliage.  They are easily identified due to a central white line. 

 

Like a number of Western Australian orchids, the shape and scent are to fool the pollinator wasp into thinking it is a female wasp. 

 

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Cyanicula amplexans, Dainty Blue orchid (formerly Caladenia amplexans 2000).      

A tiny purple-blue orchid, up to two centimetres across.  This one has the two lower petals held close together so may be just opening.  Lower petals are normally held apart stiffly, and almost parallel to the ground.  Central parts of this flower are similar shaped to Cyanicula sericea, and have purple markings, with the labellum calli being yellow. Rear of petals darker and hairy.  Leaf is broad at base and tapers to a point.    

August

Latham, Perenjori shire, Mid West region, Western Australia.   Found through parts of the Mid West, the northern Wheatbelt, into the southern Wheatbelt, and into the western parts of the Goldfields regions. 

Cyanicula genus was created in 2000 and covers small blue orchids that were formerly known as Caladenia.  Cyan mean blue, and cula meaning small.