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

This group consists of several similar species. They all have relatively large flowers. Species included on this page include the Joseph's Spider Orchid, Caladenia polycroma, the Common Spider Orchid, Caladenia vulgata, the Pendant Spider Orchid, Caladenia pendens subsp. pendens, the Talbot's Spider Orchid, Caladenia pendens subsp. talbotii and the Rock Spider Orchid, Caladenia petrensis.

Caladenia polychroma - Joseph's Spider Orchid

This orchid shows great variety of colour, hence both its common and scientific names. It is found in an area bounded by Bunbury, Hyden, Jerramungup and Mt Barker. It is most common in winter wet flats under Wandoo trees. It is most common between Frankland and the Stirling Range and also out towards Jerramungup. One feature is that it usually holds its petals and sepals rather stiffly.

Caladenia polychroma - Joseph Spider Orchid

Caladenia polychroma - Joseph Spider Orchid*

Caladenia polychroma - Joseph Spider Orchid

Caladenia polychroma - Joseph's Spider Orchid

Caladenia polychroma - Joseph Spider Orchid

Caladenia polychroma - Joseph's Spider Orchid

Caladenia polychroma - Jospeh's Spider Orchid

Caladenia vulgata - Common Spider Orchid

The Common Spider Orchid, as its name suggests is found throughout the entire south west. It can be considered the 'normal' wispy spider orchid in most areas. I'm not sure how to positively identify it as it visually resembles many of the subspecies and its distribution suggests that it can be found along with many of the other species of wispy spider orchid.

Caladenia vulgata - Common Spider Orchid

Caladenia vulgata - Common Spider Orchid*

Caladenia vulgata - Common Spider Orchid

Caladenia pendens subsp. pendens - Pendant Spider Orchid>

This orchid is similar to the Joseph's Spider Orchid and is distinguished by the longer petals that droop close to the stem, unlike the more stiffly held petals of the Joseph's Spider Orchid. It also has a larger labellum and flowers that are predominantly white in colour. It is a widespread species, being found between Perenjori and Ravensthorpe.

Caladenia pendens subsp. pendens - Pendant Spider Orchid

Caladenia pendens subsp. talbotii - Talbot's Spider Orchid>

This orchid is a variety of the Pendant Spider Orchid differing in having more variable coloured flowers with slightly more stiffly held petals. It is found in a few locations between Beverley and Watheroo.

Caladenia pendens subsp. talbotii

Caladenia incensum - Glistening Spider Orchid

This orchid is identified by the globular, translucent calli on the labellum and the bright, glistening white petals and sepals. It is found mostly in the outer Wheatbelt, from Kalbarri to Hyden. It is seen at its best on and around granite outcrops, where it receives more water from runoff.

Caladenia incensum - Glistening Spider Orchid

Caladenia incensum x roei - Glistening Hybrid

Caladenia remota subsp. remota - Outback Spider Orchid
Caladenia remota subsp. parva - Perenjori Spider Orchid

These orchids are found between Yalgoo and Bonnie Rock. They favour areas with greater water runoff such as granite outcrops. They are distinguished from the similar and co-occuring Glistening Spider Orchid by the narrower leaves and smaller labellum. The Outback Spider Orchid also lacks the globular calli of the Glistening Spider Orchid. The subspecies parva is much the same, differing in being generally smaller and growing in winter wet areas rather than granite outcrops.

Caladenia remota subsp remota - Outback Spider Orchid

Caladenia remota subsp parva - Perenjori Spider Orchid

Caladenia ultima - Late Spider Orchid

This orchid looks much the same as several other wispy spider orchids such as the Common Spider Orchid, C. vulgata) and white specimens of the Joseph's Spider Orchid, Caladenia polychroma. It is identified primarily by its late flowering period, from November to December. It is a seldom seen orchid, found in a fairly small range between Manjimup and the Stirling Range.

Caladenia ultima - Late Spider Orchid

Caladenia abbreviata - Coastal Spider Orchid

Looking much the same as many other types of wispy spider orchid, the Coastal Spider Orchid is distinguished mainly by its very late flowering period (November to December). It is found in sandy soils near the coast between Yallingup and Denmark.

Caladenia abbreviata - Coastal Spider Orchid

Caladenia petrensis - Rock Spider Orchid

This orchid is very similar to other wispy spider orchids. It is found in the north western Wheatbelt and it is distinguished from the co-occuring Glistening Spider Orchid, Caladenia insensum by its cream to pale yellow colouring and drooping, rather than stiffly held, petals.