Caladenia falcata, integra, attingens, lobata – The Green Spider Orchid Group

This group of spectacular spider orchids contains 4 main species, all of which are characterised by their predominately green colouring and the upturned petals and sepals, giving them the classic 'upside-down' look. As a group, they are common between Perth and Esperance and out to the central wheatbelt. The green colouring gives rise to the collective name of Green Spider Orchids.

Caladenia falcata - Green Spider Orchid

The Green Spider Orchid (also known as the Fringed Mantis Orchid) is the most common of the green spider orchid group and is distinguished by its large, mostly green flowers. It is very common from the western edge to the central Wheatbelt. While it is found in a variety of habitats, its preferred habitat is Sheok (Casuarina) thickets.

Caladenia falcata - Green Spider Orchid

Caladenia x cala - Wheatbelt Spider Orchid

This orchid is a hybrid between the Green Spider Orchid (Caladenia falcata) and any of the White Spider Orchid group (Caladenia longicauda). They are often found where the two parents are growing. The hybrid always has a red-tipped labellum and usually has greenish white petals that are held halfway between the upright petals of the Green Spider Orchid and the dangling petals of the White Spider Orchid.

Caladenia x cala - Wheatbelt Spider Orchid

Caladenia falcata x Caladenia barbarossa - Green Dragon Orchid

This orchid is a hybrid between the Green Spider Orchid, Caladenia falcata and the Dragon Orchid, Caladenia barbarossa. It is a rare hybrid, unlike the much more common White Spider / Green Spider Orchid hybrid, Caladenia x cala.

Caladenia falcata x barbarossa - Green Dragon Orchid

Caladenia falcata x - Unknown Green Spider Orchid Hybrid

This orchid is an unknown hybrid with the Green Spider Orchid (Caladenia falcata) as one parent. The other parent is possibly the Purple-veined Spider Orchid (Caladenia doutchiae) as that was the only other species present in the area in good numbers.

Caladenia falcata hybrid - Unknown Green Spider Hybrid

Caladenia integra - Smooth-lipped Spider Orchid

Similar to and often growing with the Green Spider Orchid, the Smooth-lipped Spider Orchid is easily distinguished by the lack of labellum fringes. They usually also have much taller stems than the Green Spider Orchid and can reach 60cm in height. The flowering time is a bit later, from late September to October.

Caladenia integra - Smooth-lipped Spider Orchid

Caladenia hybrid

Caladenia attingens subsp. attingens - Forest Mantis Orchid
Caladenia attingens subsp. gracilima - Small Mantis Orchid

The Forest Mantis Orchid is pretty much a mini Green Spider Orchid. The flowers are a bit smaller and usually more colourful (referring to the red streaks on the petals). The calli on the labellum extend almost to the tip of the labellum, unlike the Green Spider Orchid, which has calli only about half-way along the labellum. The Forest Mantis Orchid is found mainly between Perth and Albany and is particularly common in the region between Busselton, Augusta and Manjimup. The Small Mantis Orchid is mostly indistinguishable from the Forest Mantis Orchid. It has flowers that are slightly smaller with more colour and is found to the east from Albany to east of Esperance. This photographer considers it to be simply the eastern variety of the Forest Mantis Orchid.

Caladenia attingens - Forest Mantis Orchid

Caladenia attingens subsp. attingens - Forest Mantis Orchid

Caladenia attingens subsp attingens - Forest Mantis Orchid

Caladenia attingens subsp. attingens - Forest Mantis Orchid

Caladenia attingens subsp. gracillima - Small Mantis Orchid

Caladenia lobata - Butterfly Orchid

The Butterfly Orchid is considered the most beautiful of the green spider orchid group. It is easily distinguished by the large, flattened labellum with fringing held out sideways. The labellum flutters in the slightest breeze, which can make photography challenging! The Butterfly Orchid has a strange distribution, which can be described as roughly along a line connecting Busselton with the Stirling Range.

Caladenia lobata - Butterfly Orchid

Caladenia lobata x barbarossa - Dragonfly Orchid

This orchid is a cross between the Butterfly Orchid and the Dragon Orchid. Like all hybrids, it is occasionally found in areas where both of the parent species grow together.

Caladenia lobata x barbarossa - Dragonfly Orchid

Caladenia x hypata - Southern Forest Spider Orchid

This orchid is a cross between the Butterfly Orchid and one of the White Spider Orchid subspecies. The distinguishing features are a broad, flattened labellum with a red tip (a feature from the Butterfly Orchid parent) and whitish petals and sepals (from the White Spider Orchid parent).