Caladenia species have a single hairy leaf and a hairy stem.
All have a labellum on which can be found small projections called calli.
From Greek – calos (beautiful) and aden (glands).
Caladenia can be divided into four groups according to distinct visual differences.
| Sepals and petals | Labellum | Leaf | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Spider Orchids | long | fringed or toothed | narrow |
| 4. Fairy Orchids | short and spreading | fringed | broad |
| 2. Crested Orchids | shorter | smooth edges and prominent calli | narrow |
| 3. Dragon Orchids | shorter | hairy with horn-like appendages | broad |
Unique Orchids
These orchids have an affinity with both the spider and crested orchids.
The Lazy Spider Orchid has a smooth edged labellum with prominent calli yet upright sepals and petals.
The Dancing Orchid looks like a crested orchid but has a fringed labellum like the spider orchids.
You have a collection of very beautiful photos. I too am compiling a collection of photos of our local wildflowers. I became particularly interested in the orchids because of there amazing shapes and in many cases the difficulty in finding them. Last season I was very lucky to stumble across a colony of 5 Flying Duck orchids which I had never found before.
Beautiful photos. I love to stroll through Wireless Hill Reserve about this time of the year. I will be taking a trip down through Lake Grace and Esperance early October and hope to see some orchids. I love all wildflowers, but yes, orchids are special.