Caladenia flava – Cowslips | Orchids of South-west Australia

The Cowslip is one of the most common orchids in the south west of Western Australia. It is found everywhere in all habitats. Each population has different patterns of red markings and as the orchid spreads vegetatively by tubers as well as by seed, colonies such as the one featured above will consist of plants that have identical markings.

Caladenia flava subsp. flava - Cowslip

As can be seen in the photos below, the Cowslip is extremely variable in size, colour and shape. The size is largely dependent on the growing conditions, better soils and rainfall will produce taller plants with larger flowers.

Caladenia flava - Cowslip

Caladenia flava subsp. flava - Cowslip

Caladenia flava - Cowslip

Caladenia flava subsp. flava - Cowslip

Caladenia flava - Cowslip

Caladenia flava subsp. flava - Cowslip

Caladenia flava subsp. maculata - Kalbarri Cowslip

Between Geraldton and Kalbarri, most Cowslips have spotted red markings instead of red streaks. These are known as Kalbarri Cowslips.

Caladenia flava subsp. maculata - Kalbarri Cowslip

Caladenia flava subsp. sylvestris - Karri Cowslip

The Karri Cowslip is a variety of the Cowlsip that differs by flowering a bit later and in usually having whitish tips to the petals and sepals. As the name suggests, it is found mainly in the lower south west among the karri forests.

Caladenia flava subsp. sylvestris - Karri Cowslip

Caladenia flava subsp. 'late red' - Brookton Highway Cowslip

The Brookton Highway Cowslip is a late flowering variation of the Cowslip. It is distinguished by the flowers that usually have a lot more red colouring and a later flowering period starting in early October.

Caladenia flava subsp. 'late red' - Brookton Highway Cowslip

Caladenia x spectabilis - Spectacular Spider Orchid

This orchid is a hybrid between the Cowslip and the Pink Fairy Orchid (Caladenia latifolia). Colour is variable and ranges from pink to orange with an assortment of streaks and stripes of other colours. While the name technically applies only to hybrids between the Cowslip and the Pink Fairy, similar hybrids are formed between the Cowslip and the Dwarf Pink Fairy, the Pink Fan or the Little Pink Fan Orchid. Most of the hybrids in this section have the Dwarf Pink Fairy as one parent.

Caladenia x spectabilis - Cowslip hybrid

Caladenia x spectabilis - Spectacular Spider Orchid

Caladenia x triangularis - Shy Spider Orchid

This orchid is a hybrid between the Cowslip (Caladenia flava) and the White Spider Orchid (Caladenia longicauda). While the parent species are frequently found together, this hybrid is very rare, hence the common name - Shy Spider Orchid.