Caladenia

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Spider orchids
Pink fingers.jpg
C. carnea growing in Tasmania
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Subtribe: Caladeniinae
Genus: Caladenia
R.Br., 1810
Species
Synonyms [1] [2]
  • Petalochilus R.S.Rogers
  • Arachnorchis D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.
  • Calonemorchis Szlach.
  • Drakonorchis(Hopper & A.P.Br.) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.
  • JonesiopsisSzlach.
  • Phlebochilus(Benth.) Szlach.
  • StegostylaD.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.
  • Caladeniastrum(Szlach.) Szlach.
  • CyaniculaHopper & A.P.Br.

Caladenia, commonly known as spider orchids, [3] is a genus of 350 species of plants in the orchid family, Orchidaceae. Spider orchids are terrestrial herbs with a single hairy leaf and a hairy stem. The labellum is fringed or toothed in most species and there are small projections called calli on the labellum. The flowers have adaptations to attract particular species of insects for pollination. The genus is divided into three groups on the basis of flower shape, broadly, spider orchids, zebra orchids and cowslip orchids, although other common names are often used. Although they occur in other countries, most are Australian and 136 species occur in Western Australia, making it the most species-rich orchid genus in that state.

Contents

Description

Orchids in the genus Caladenia are terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, sympodial herbs with a few inconspicuous, fine roots and a tuber partly surrounded by a fibrous sheath. The tuber produces two "droppers" which become daughter tubers in the following year. There is a single hairy convolute leaf at the base of the plant. Most species have an enlarged cell at the base of each hair. The leaf may be medium-sized to large, fleshy or leathery, lance-shaped to oblong, but is always simple, lacking lobes and serrations. [3] [4] [5]

The inflorescence is a raceme with from one to eight resupinate flowers. The three sepals and two petals are free and similar in size and shape to each other. In some species, the sepals or petals or both have narrow tips with club-like ends. As is usual in orchids, one petal is highly modified as the central labellum. The labellum is divided into three parts, each of which usually has a fringed or dentate margin, while the central lobe has stalked or button-like calli which are often in rows. The sexual parts of the flower are fused to the column, which has wing-like structures on its sides. Most species flower in early spring but some species, such as the winter spider orchid ( C. drummondii ) flower in other months. The fruit that follows flowering is a non-fleshy, dehiscent capsule containing up to 500 seeds. [3] [4] [5]

C. flava growing near Bertram, W.A. Kwinana gnangarra 300815-102.jpg
C. flava growing near Bertram, W.A.

Taxonomy and naming

The first specimens of the genus were collected by Joseph Banks in Sydney in 1777 and by Archibald Menzies in King George Sound in Western Australia in 1784. James Edward Smith formally described Arethusa catenata, now known as Caladenia catenata in 1805, from specimens collected in Sydney. [6] [7]

The genus was first formally described by Robert Brown in 1810 in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae . At the same time he described 15 species of Caladenia but did not nominate a type species. Brown collected the specimens as a member of Matthew Flinders' mapping and exploration voyage that circumnavigated Australia. He spent just over three years on botanical research with assistants in Australia. [8] [9]

The genus name (Caladenia) is derived from the Ancient Greek words kalos meaning "beautiful" and aden meaning "a gland" referring to the colourful labellum. [10]

There has been disagreement between taxonomists as to which orchids belong in the genus Caladenia and which do not, and about classification within the genus. [11] Recent studies of the molecular phylogenetics of the group suggest that John Lindley’s 1840 description of Caladenia (in The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants), [12] but including Glossodia and Elythranthera , as being the most accurate reflection of the subtribe Caladeniinae . Those orchids previously included in the genera Glossodia, Elythranthera and Cyanicula have been transferred to Caladenia. [2]

Caladenia orchids are informally grouped into those with long narrow sepals and petals, such as the white spider orchid ( C. longicauda ) and the clubbed spider orchid ( C. longiclavata ), those with short sepals and petals which tend to hang near the stem, such as the zebra orchid ( C. cairnsiana ) and dwarf zebra orchid ( C. pachychila ) and a third group with short, spreading sepals and petals such as the cowslip orchid (C. flava) and fan orchid (C. nana). [3]

Distribution and habitat

Most caladenias are endemic to Australia. Eleven species, ten of which are endemic, occur in New Zealand with one also occurring in Australia. Caladenia catenata and C. carnea occur in New Caledonia, with the latter also found in Indonesia. There are about 136 species endemic to the south-west of Western Australia, 114 of which have been formally described and a further 18 hybrids which have been described and named. [13]

In Western Australia, caladenias are found in the south-west from north of Kalbarri on the west coast to the Nuytsland Nature Reserve on the coast of the Great Australian Bight. Their habitats range from cool, moist Karri forest, to swamplands near the coast and to almost arid mallee woodland. [3]

Ecology

Orchids in the genus Caladenia are pollinated by insects, usually bees or wasps. Some species appear to attract male wasps by having the scent, shape and colouration of flightless female wasps. For example, C. lobata attracts male Thynnoides bidens wasps. As the wasps lands on the flower, the labellum is pulled down by the insect's weight. As it moves up the labellum, that organ tips the insect against the column where the wasp contacts the sexual parts and either picks up or deposits pollinia. Many such orchids are only attractive to one species of insect. Sometimes hybrids between female-mimicking and food-attracting species occur as in the case of C. patersonii which has the odour of fermentation. C. patersonii attracts several insect species, and forms hybrids with insect-mimicking species including C. lobata and C. dilatata . [14] [15]

In some caladenias, the sepal and petals (apart from the labellum) are narrow with expanded tips called "clubs". These are thought to be the source of sexual attractants for those species that mimic female wasps. Most such species do not have a scent detectable by humans but are attractive to male Thynnid wasps. For some species, such as C. multiclavia , it is the labellum that mimics the size, shape and presumably the scent of females. [3]

Use in horticulture

Caladenia have generally proven difficult to maintain and cultivate artificially. [16] Some enthusiasts have had limited success by cultivating the symbiotic fungus that the orchid requires and by careful use of fertiliser to keep the fungus and orchid in balance. [17] The 1889 book 'The Useful Native Plants of Australia' records that "These and other orchids have edible tubers." [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Arthrochilus</i> Genus of flowering plants

Arthrochilus, commonly called elbow orchids, is a genus of about fifteen species of flowering plants from the orchid family (Orchidaceae) and is found in Australia and New Guinea. The flowers are pollinated by male thynnid wasps which attempt to mate with the flower and are held in place by hooks while the pollinium is transferred between insect and flower.

<i>Caladenia saccharata</i> Species of orchid

Caladenia saccharata, commonly known as sugar orchid, is a species of flowering plant in the orchid family, Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single leaf and a single flower with three white sepals and two similar petals.

<i>Spiculaea</i> Genus of orchids

Spiculaea is a genus of plants defined by a single species, Spiculaea ciliata, commonly known as elbow orchid, and allied to the family Orchidaceae. Endemic to the south-west of Western Australia, the species is unusual in a number of respects; it grows in shallow soil on granite rock outcrops, grows and flowers in the hottest months of the year and has a unique method of using thynnid wasps as pollinators.

Caladenia robinsonii, commonly known as the Frankston spider orchid is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to Victoria. It is a ground orchid with a single hairy leaf and one or two red and creamy-yellow flowers with dark red glandular tips on the sepals. In 2010 only about forty specimens of this plant, growing in a single population were known.

<i>Caleana</i> Genus of flowering plants

Caleana, commonly known as duck orchids, is a genus of flowering plants in the orchid family, Orchidaceae that is found in Australia and New Zealand. The Australian species are found in all states but have not been recorded in the Northern Territory. Duck orchids have a single leaf and one or a few, dull-coloured, inconspicuous flowers. Most species are found in Western Australia but one species occurs in eastern Australia and one occurs in eastern Australia and New Zealand. Orchids in this genus as well as the hammer orchids (Drakaea) are pollinated by male thynnid wasps.

<i>Caladenia dilatata</i> Species of orchid

Caladenia dilatata, commonly known as the green-comb spider-orchid and as koolin by Aboriginal people of the Coranderrk area, is species of flowering plant in the family Orchidaceae and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has a single leaf and a single yellowish-green flower with reddish stripes and occurs in Victoria South Australia and Tasmania. It is similar to C. necrophylla which occurs in south-east South Australia and to C. concinna from southern New South Wales.

<i>Caladenia barbarossa</i> Species of orchid

Caladenia barbarossa, commonly known as the common dragon orchid is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It can be distinguished by its distinctive labellum which is attractive to species of male thynnid wasps.

Caladenia abbreviata, commonly known as the coastal spider orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single erect, hairy leaf and up to three pale, creamy-yellow flowers on a flowering stem up to 35 cm (10 in) high. Although the flowers have long, thread-like petals and sepals, they are shorter and darker than those of other spider orchids. It is a rare, relatively recently discovered species although often found near human activities.

<i>Caladenia echidnachila</i> Species of orchid

Caladenia echidnachila, commonly known as the fawn spider orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to Tasmania. It is a ground orchid with a single, hairy leaf and one or two fawn-coloured flowers with thin red lines on the sepals and petals.

<i>Caladenia fragrantissima</i> Species of orchid

Caladenia fragrantissima, commonly known as the scented spider orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to Victoria and South Australia. It is a ground orchid with a single hairy leaf and up to three creamy-white to yellowish-green flowers. It is possible that it is conspecific with Caladenia orientalis.

Caladenia hastata, commonly known as Mellblom's spider orchid is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to Victoria. It is a ground orchid with a single hairy leaf and up to three white to cream-coloured flowers with red markings on the labellum.

<i>Caladenia minor</i> Species of orchid

Caladenia minor, commonly known as white fingers, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is native to New Zealand. There is doubt about its taxonomy and in Australia the species is more usually known as Caladenia pusilla, Caladenia catenata var. minor, or Caladenia carnea var. minor. It has a single long, narrow leaf and one or two white or pale cream-coloured flowers.

Caladenia patersonii is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is native to Victoria and Tasmania. It is a ground orchid with a single hairy leaf and one or two creamy-white, yellowish or pink flowers.

Caladenia rigida, commonly known as the stiff spider orchid, or white spider-orchid is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to South Australia. It is a ground orchid with a single hairy leaf and one or two white flowers with dark glandular tips on the sepals and fine reddish-brown lines along the sepals and petals.

<i>Caladenia rosella</i> Species of orchid

Caladenia rosella, commonly known as the rosella spider orchid is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It is a ground orchid with a single hairy leaf and a single scented pink flower. Although it may have had a wider distribution in the past, the total number of plants in 2000 was estimated to be 120 in four populations in Victoria. There is a single record from New South Wales but the orchid is classified as "extinct" in that state.

Caladenia stellata, commonly known as the starry spider orchid is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It is a ground orchid with a single, hairy leaf and usually only one greenish-cream flower with red markings.

<i>Caladenia valida</i> Species of orchid

Caladenia valida, commonly known as the robust spider orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to south-eastern continental Australia. It is a ground orchid with a single sparsely hairy leaf and up to three white to cream-coloured flowers which sometimes have red streaks. It is similar to Caladenia reticulata but is large and taller with more stiffly spreading lateral sepals and petals.

<i>Caladenia brunonis</i> Species of orchid

Caladenia brunonis, commonly known as the purple enamel orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a ground orchid with a single flattened, hairy leaf and up to three glossy purple flowers. It has recently been known as Elythranthera brunonis since 1963 but recent discoveries suggest its inclusion in the genus Caladenia.

<i>Caladenia major</i> Species of orchid

Caladenia major, commonly known as the waxlip orchid, parson-in-the-pulpit, or purple cockatoo is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae, and is endemic to Australia. It is a ground orchid with a single hairy leaf and one or two purple to mauve flowers. It has been known as Glossodia major since its description by the prolific Scottish botanist Robert Brown in 1810, but recent discoveries suggest its inclusion in the genus Caladenia.

<i>Caladenia emarginata</i> Species of orchid

Caladenia emarginata, commonly known as the pink enamel orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a ground orchid with a single flattened, hairy leaf and up to four glossy pink flowers. It is similar to Caladenia brunonis but is usually a shorter plant but with larger, pink flowers. It has been known as Elythranthera emarginata since 1963 but recent discoveries suggest its inclusion in the genus Caladenia.

References

  1. ↑ "Caladenia". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries; Australian National Botanic Gardens . Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Caladenia". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hoffman, Noel; Brown, Andrew (2011). Orchids of South-West Australia (3rd ed.). Gooseberry Hill: Noel Hoffman. p. 25. ISBN   9780646562322.
  4. 1 2 "Caladenia". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  5. 1 2 Bernhardt, Peter. "Genus Caladenia". Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney: plantnet. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  6. ↑ "Arethusa catenata". APNI. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  7. ↑ Clements, Mark A.; Howard, Christopher G.; Miller, Joseph T. (13 April 2015). "Caladenia revisited: Results of molecular phylogenetic analyses of Caladeniinae plastid and nuclear loci". American Journal of Botany. 102 (4): 581–597. doi: 10.3732/ajb.1500021 . PMID   25878091.
  8. ↑ "Caladenia". APNI. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  9. ↑ Brown, Robert (1810). Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae. London. pp. 321–322. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  10. ↑ Quattrocchi, Umberto (2000). CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names (Volume 1: A - C). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. p. 389. ISBN   0849326753.
  11. ↑ Hopper, Stephen D. (26 April 2009). "Taxonomic turmoil down-under: recent developments in Australian orchid systematics". Annals of Botany. 104 (3): 447–455. doi:10.1093/aob/mcp090. PMC   2720664 . PMID   19398445.
  12. ↑ Lindley, John (1840). The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants. Piccadilly, London: Ridgways. p. 421. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  13. ↑ Brockman, Garry; Brown, Andrew P. (2015). "New taxa of Caladenia (Orchidaceae) from south-west Western Australia". Nuytsia. 25: 45–123.
  14. ↑ Stoutamire, Warren P. (1983). "Wasp-Pollinated Species of (Orchidaceae) in South-Western Australia". Australian Journal of Botany. 31 (4): 383–394. doi:10.1071/BT9830383.
  15. ↑ van der Cingel, Nelis A. (2000). An Atlas of Orchid Pollination : America, Africa, Asia and Australia. Rotterdam: Balkema. pp. 196–200. ISBN   9054104864.
  16. ↑ Coker, Julian. "Australian Native Orchids - An Overview". Orchid Societies Council of Victoria Inc. Archived from the original on 28 March 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  17. ↑ "Caladenia". Pacific Bulb Society. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  18. ↑ J. H. Maiden (1889). The useful native plants of Australia : Including Tasmania. Turner and Henderson, Sydney.
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