Caladenia bryceana – Dwarf Spider Orchid | Orchids of South-west Australia

The Dwarf Spider Orchid is about the smallest spider orchid in Western Australia. The flowers are less than 2cm from top to bottom on a stem less than 10cm. Being so small, they are very difficult to see. You can stand next to them and not notice them. As the leaf is quite large in relation to the flowers, this is often the first part of the plant that you will notice. This orchid is not common (maybe because it is so hard to find!) and is currently declared as Threatened Flora.
The Northern Dwarf Spider Orchid is much the same but differs a bit in having narrower petals and calli, that do not extend quite to the tip of the labellum. Both varieties show quite variation in colour, ranging from green to orange. Interestingly, the calli on the labellum also vary from black to pale green.

Caladenia bryceana - Dwarf Spider Orchid

Note the photos of the orchid with the pollinating wasp. The calli on the labellum emit pheromones that attract the male wasp. The wasp lands on what it thinks is a female wasp and in moving up slightly, overbalances the labellum and tips into the column, collecting the pollen. In doing the same routine on another flower, pollination is achieved.

Caladenia bryceana subsp. cracens - Northern Dwarf Spider Orchid

Leave a Reply Cancel reply