Caladenia roei, doutchaie, brevisura, cristata, incrassata, voigtii – Crested Spider Orchids

Collectively known as the Crested Spider Orchids, there are six similar orchids in this group. The flower stem is up to 30cm tall with small flowers about 3-4cm long. These orchids frequently hybridise with members of the Wispy Spider Orchid group where the two are growing together (which they often are). The Ant Orchid and the Purple-veined Spider Orchid are the most common of the group, the other species have a much smaller distribution and are not common.

Caladenia roei - Ant Orchid

The Ant Orchid is very common throughout the wheatbelt, particularly around granite outcrops and other areas of higher water runoff. It has two distinct forms. Plants found in southern areas have calli extending to the tip of the labellum, while northern plants only have calli at the base of the labellum or sometimes no calli at all. This orchid is also known as the Clown Orchid, Man Orchid, or Jack-in-the-box.

Caladenia roei - Ant Orchid

Caladenia x exoleta - Wasp Orchid

The Ant Orchid will frequently hybridise with any one of the wispy spider orchids whenever the two are found together. The resulting hybrids are quite variable, but usually share features such as a striped labellum, a dark cluster of calli and thin, wispy petals and sepals.

Caladenia x exoleta - Wasp Orchid

Caladenia doutchiae - Purple-veined Spider Orchid

This orchid is very common throughout the wheatbelt. It is distinguished from the very similar Short-sepalled Spider Orchid by having longer sepals. In particular, the tips - the section that is much narrower. However, in the wild, they vary a lot, with plants in the north of the distribution having longer tips than those in the southern area. It probably intergrades with the Short-sepalled Spider Orchid.

Caladenia doutchiae - Purple-veined Spider Orchid

Caladenia x lavandulacea - Lavender Orchid

The Lavender Orchid is a hybrid of unknown parentage. Based on where it has been recorded in the past, this photographer considers it a hybrid between Caladenia doutchiae and any one of the wispy spider orchids such as the Joseph Spider Orchid (Caladenia polychroma). It is often found where the two grow together.

Caladenia x lavandulacea - Lavender Orchid

Caladenia x lavandulacaea - Lavender Orchid

Caladenia brevisura - Short-sepalled Spider Orchid

The Short-sepalled Spider Orchid is pretty much identical to the Purple-veined Spider Orchid (Caladenia doutchaie). It differs in having shorter sepals and a wider band of taller calli. This photographer tends to be of the opinion that this species and the Purple-veined Spider Orchid are just regional variations of the same species. It is found in the southern and eastern wheatbelt. To the north and west of its range, it intergrades with the Purple-veiend Spider Orchid.

Caladenia brevisura - Short-sepalled Spider Orchid

Caladenia cristata - Crested Spider Orchid

The Crested Spider Orchid is an uncommon species and its main distinguishing feature is the very tall band of calli. The centre photo shows the characteristic curling of the lateral sepals. This feature is shared by all members of the Crested Spider Orchid group.

Caladenia cristata - Crested Spider Orchid

Caladenia cristata x Caladenia exilis subsp. exilis - Crested Hybrid

This orchid is a cross between the Crested Spider Orchid and the Salt Lake Spider Orchid. It is identified by the pinkish-purple markings on the labellum and the larger than usual calli, both features from the Crested Spider Orchid parent.

Caladenia cristata x Caladenia exilis subsp. exilis - Crested Hybrid

Caladenia incrassata - Puppet Orchid

Very similar to the Purple-veined Spider Orchid, the Puppet Orchid is distinguished by the thicker clubbing on the sepals and by sometimes having a clubbed dorsal sepal. It is found in the more arid areas of the South West from Paynes Find to Mt Jackson.

Caladenia incrassata - Puppet Orchid

Caladenia voigtii - Mohawk Spider Orchid

The Mohawk Spider Orchid has an interesting history. The similar Crested Spider Orchid had been found near Pithara in 1923, but then had not been seen for many years. The Mohawk Spider Orchid was discovered near Salmon Gums in 1977 and was thought to be the long lost Crested Spider Orchid. Then the real Crested Spider was re-discovered in the same district where it was seen in 1923, it was realised that the Mohawk Spider Orchid was a near species and was named Caladenia voigtii after Don Voigt, who had first found it. The common name derives from the tall band of calli on the labellum. This feature is shared by the Crested Spider Orchid.