Cyanicula – Blue Orchids | Orchids of South-west Australia

Cyanicula - the blue orchids, are a group of about ten orchids previously placed in Caladenia. Cyanicula deformis (Blue Fairy Orchid) was also included in this genus, but has more recently been reclassified again and is now known as Pheladenia deformis. Most specimens of Cyanicula have blue flowers - hence the common name, but there is one yellow (C. ixioides) and one white (C. ixioides subsp candida).

Cyanicula gemmata - Blue China
Cyanicula sp. Dale - Dale China Orchid
Cyanicula ixioides subsp. ixioides - Yellow China Orchid
Cyanicula ixioides subsp. candida - White China Orchid

Cyanicula gemmata (Blue China) is widespread between Kalbarri and Esperance and out to the central wheatbelt. While it does flower in unburnt bushland, it flowers much more profusely in the season following a hot summer fire. Its leaves are distinguished by being covered in very short hairs. The Yellow China Orchid is pretty much a yellow variety of the Blue China. It is mainly found in a smallish area to the east of Perth, but can occasionally be found as scattered individuals wherever the Blue China is found. The White China Orchid is the same. Found in scattered colonies in the hills to the east of Perth and also as scattered individuals elsewhere.

Cyanicula gemmata - Blue China

Cyanicula gemmata - Blue China Orchid

Cyanicula gemmata - Blue China

Caladenia ixioides subsp. ixioides - Yellow China Orchid

Cyanicula ixioides subsp. ixioides - Yellow China Orchid

Caladenia ixioides subsp. ixioides - Yellow China Orchid

Cyanicula ixioides subsp. candida - White China Orchid

Caladenia ixioides subsp. candida - White China Orchid

Cyanicula ixioides subsp. candida - White China Orchid

Cyanicula sp. Dale

Cyanicula gertrudea - Pale China Orchid

This is orchid is a variation of the Blue China Orchid, differing in having pale blue flowers with a prominently blue-striped labellum. The leaf is green on the underside, rather than purple as in other china orchids. It is found in coastal areas between Bunbury and Albany, flowering from October to November.

Cyanicula gertrudiae - Pale China Orchid

Cyanicula sericea - Silky Blue Orchid

Found throughout the lower south west from Perth to Esperance, this orchid grows to 40cm tall with a large silky leaf - hence its common name. It is usually found as scattered individual plants.

Canicula sericea - Silky Blue Orchid

Cyanicula sericea - Silky Blue Orchid

Cyanicula secicea - Silky Blue Orchid

Cyanicula sericea - Silky Blue Orchid

Cyanicula amplexans - Dainty Blue Orchid

This orchid has small flowers about 2cm across and is quite common in the northern and central Wheatbelt, growing in a variety of habitats.

Cyanicula amplexans - Dainty Blue Orchid

Cyanicula aperta - Western Tiny Blue Orchid

This orchid is quite common in the south eastern wheatbelt. It is very similar to the Sugar Orchid, Ericksonella saccharata in shape and is sometimes found growing with that species. It grows in a wide variety of habitats from dense Mallee in gravel to Cassurina thickets in sandy soils.