The Smaller Wispy Spider Orchid Group | Orchids of South-west Australia

The orchids on this page share the feature of relatively small plants and flowers. Species on this page include the Chameleon Orchid, Caladenia dimidia, the Brookton Highway Spider Orchid, Caladenia fluvialis, the Dark-tipped Spider Orchid, Caladenia postea, the Dwarf Common Spider Orchid, Caladenia hiemalis, the Western Wispy Spider Orchid, Caladenia microchila and the Moora Spider Orchid, Caladenia exilis subsp. vanleeuwenii.

Caladenia dimidia - Chameleon Orchid

The Chameleon Orchid is a smallish wispy spider orchid that is very common in the more inland areas of the South West, from the Central Wheatbelt to the arid regions. It is quite variable in colour.

Caladenia dimidia - Chameleon Orchid

Caladenia fluvialis - Brookton Highway Spider Orchid

The Brookton Highway Spider Orchid is distinguished by its small flowers that are quite variable in colour. Plants rarely reach more than 20cm tall with flowers that can range from white to completely red. As the name suggests, it is found in a smallish area along the Brookton Highway at the western edge of the Wheatbelt. It favours winter wet areas in Wandoo woodlands.

Caladenia fluvialis - Brookton Highway Spider Orchid

Caladenia postea - Dark-tipped Spider Orchid

This orchid is a somewhat rare species that is quite similar to the Talbot's Spider Orchid. It is distinguished by the dark-tipped petals (hence the name) and also the flowering time, which is a few weeks later (October). Other wispy spider orchids in the area are finished by the time the Dark-tipped Spider Orchid starts flowering.

Caladenia postea - Dark-tipped Spider Orchid

Caladenia hiemalis - Dwarf Common Spider Orchid

The Dwarf Common Spider Orchid is distinguished mainly by its early flowering time. It is one of the first wispy spider orchids to flower, starting in late June. As its name suggests, it has quite small flowers, 5-8cm lone on stems up to 15cm tall.

Caladenia hiemalis - Dwarf Common Spider Orchid

Caladenia microchila - Western Wispy Spider Orchid

The Western Wispy Spider Orchid is so called as it occurs in Western Australia, as opposed to Eastern Australia. In WA, it is found in the eastern Wheatbelt. Like most orchids in that area, it is most common in areas with increased water availability, such as around granite outcrops and along creeklines. The distinguishing feature is the tiny labellum, which is only 2-3mm wide - noticeably smaller than other wispy spider orchids. The flowers and plants are also quite small. Flowers are 4-6cm long and plants up to 15cm tall.

Caladenia microchila - Western Wispy Spider Orchid

Caladenia x tryphera - Delicate Spider Orchid

This orchid is a hybrid between the Sigmoid Spider Orchid, Caladenia sigmoidea, and the Western Wispy Spider Orchid, Caladenia microchila. It is reasonably common in areas where both parent species are found. It is identified by the petals and sepals that often have streaks of red and the labellum , which is partially recurved like the Sigmoid Spider Orchid parent.

Caladenia x tryphera - Delicate Spider Orchid

Caladenia exilis subsp. exilis - Salt Lake Spider Orchid

The Salt Lake Spider Orchid is a smallish wispy spider orchid. It flowers early, starting as early as late July. it is found throughout the Wheatbelt, favouring areas of open scrub along creeklines and around the margins of salt lakes.

Caladenia exilis subsp. exilis - Salt Lake Spider Orchid

Caladenia exilis subsp. vanleeuwenii - Moora Spider Orchid

The Moora Spider flowers early in the season, starting in July. It is a fairly small orchid and favours winter wet areas. It is quite variable in colour, from white to red.

Caladenia exilis subsp. vanleeuwenii - Moora Spider Orchid

Caladenia dimidia - Chameleon Orchid

Caladenia fluvialis - Brookton Highway Spider Orchid

Caladenia postea - Dark-tipped Spider Orchid

Caladenia hiemalis - Dwarf Common Spider Orchid

Caladenia microchila - Western Wispy Spider Orchid

Caladenia x tryphera - Delicate Spider Orchid

Caladenia exilis subsp. exilis - Salt Lake Spider Orchid

Caladenia exilis subsp. vanleeuwenii - Moora Spider Orchid

Leave a Reply Cancel reply