Caladenia elegans

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Elegant spider orchid
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Caladenia
Species:
C. elegans
Binomial name
Caladenia elegans
Synonyms [1]
List
    • Caladenia elegansN.Hoffman & A.P.Br. nom. inval.
    • Caladenia elegansAnon. nom. inval., nom. nud.
    • Caladenia elegans Paczk. & A.R.Chapm. nom. inval.
    • Caladenia sp. (Northampton) S.D.Hopper 3347
    • Caladenia sp. 9 (Northampton)
    • Caladenia sp. Muir (S.D.Hopper 3521) p.p.
    • Calonema elegans(Hopper & A.P.Br.) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.
    • Calonemorchis elegans(Hopper & A.P.Br.) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.
    • Jonesiopsis elegans(Hopper & A.P.Br.) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.

Caladenia elegans, commonly known as the elegant spider orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to a small area near the coast of the south-west of Western Australia. It resembles the common spider orchid ( C. vulgata ) and often grows with it but its flowers are a different colour and C. elegans usually grows in poorly-drained soils. Only about 2,300 plants remained in 2016.

Contents

Description

Caladenia elegans is a terrestrial, perennial deciduous herb with an underground tuber and which often grows in clumps of up to eight or more plants. It has a single erect, hairy leaf, 60–120 mm (2–5 in) long and 2–5 mm (0.08–0.2 in) wide. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Up to three lemon-yellow flowers 50–80 mm (2–3 in) wide are borne on a stalk 200–350 mm (8–10 in) high. The sepals and petals taper to long thread-like, dark-coloured, drooping tips. The dorsal sepal is erect, 55–100 mm (2–4 in) long and 2.5–3 mm (0.098–0.12 in) wide at the base. The lateral sepals are 70–110 mm (3–4 in) long, 2.5–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide and curve downwards from the horizontal. The petals are 65–85 mm (2.6–3.3 in) long, 2.5–3 mm (0.098–0.12 in) wide and also curve downwards. The labellum is 12–15 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long and 8–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide and cream-coloured with red lines, and spots. The edges of the labellum have short, broad teeth and there are two rows of glossy yellow calli along its centre. Flowering occurs from July to August. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

This species is similar to C. vulgata but differs in having lemon-yellow flowers and glossy yellow calli. The two species hybridise in a few places. [3]

Taxonomy and naming

Caladenia elegans was first described by Stephen Hopper and Andrew Brown in 2001 from a specimen collected by Hopper near Northampton in 1983. The description was published in Nuytsia . [7] [8] The specific epithet (elegans) is a Latin word meaning "elegant" [9] referring to "the attractive flowers". [3]

Distribution and habitat

Elegant spider orchid is only known from near Northhampton where it grows in clay soils that are wet in winter, often near dense, low shrubs in the Geraldton Sandplains biogeographic region. (C. vulgata tends to grow in drier, better-drained soils.) [2] [3] [4] [10]

Conservation

Caladenia elegans is listed as "Threatened" in Western Australia under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. [10] Only about 2300 plants remained in 18 populations in a 2016 survey. The main threats to the species are weed invasion and grazing and trampling by pigs and rabbits. [11] It is also classed as "Critically Endangered" under the Commonwealth Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) Act. [5] [6]

Related Research Articles

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

Caladenia longicauda is a species of plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is distinguished by its large leaf and by its up to five large, white flowers which have drooping sepals and petals with long, thickish brown "tails".

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

Caladenia busselliana, commonly known as Bussell's spider orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to a small area in the south-west of Western Australia. It is a rare orchid with an erect, hairy leaf and up to three pale yellow flowers. Only about fifty specimens are known and it is threatened by habitat destruction and by too-frequent or too infrequent bushfires.

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

Caladenia decora, commonly known as the Esperance king spider orchid is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single hairy leaf and up to three red, yellow and green flowers. It is a variable species, similar to the king spider orchid and sometimes hybridises with other species so that it can be difficult to recognise, but is one of the largest spider orchids found in Western Australia.

Caladenia drakeoides, commonly known as the hinged dragon orchid is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single hairy leaf and a single greenish-yellow and red flower with a hinged labellum resembling a female thynnid wasp.

Caladenia erythronema, commonly known as the red thread spider orchid, and Nyabing spider orchid is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single hairy leaf and up to three red, yellow or cream-coloured flowers with dangling, thread-like sepals and petals and a small labellum.

Caladenia fuscolutescens, commonly known as the ochre spider orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single, hairy leaf and one or two brownish-yellow flowers with a pale yellow, red-striped labellum. It is most common in spring after bushfires in the previous summer.

Caladenia hoffmanii, commonly known as Hoffman's spider orchid is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single, hairy leaf and one or two, greenish-yellow, red and white flowers which have a greenish-yellow labellum with a red tip. It is distinguished from the Pingaring spider orchid by small differences in the labellum and more northerly distribution.

<i>Caladenia longicauda <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> merrittii</i> Subspecies of orchid

Caladenia longicauda subsp. merrittii, commonly known as Merritt's white spider orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single hairy leaf and up to three large, mainly white flowers with very long, drooping lateral sepals and petals, and a white broad labellum with relatively short labellum teeth. It is one of the largest spider orchids.

<i>Caladenia longicauda <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> rigidula</i> Subspecies of orchid

Caladenia longicauda subsp. rigidula, commonly known as the rigid white spider orchid or island white spider orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single hairy leaf and up to three large, mainly white flowers with relatively short lateral sepals and petals. It is similar to the reclining white spider orchid but that species has smaller, cream-coloured flowers.

Caladenia longicauda subsp. extrema, commonly known as the late white spider orchid or Seaton Ross spider orchid is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single hairy leaf and one or two mainly white flowers with long, mostly spreading lateral sepals and petals. It is a relatively rare orchid which is similar to the tangled white spider orchid but has larger flowers and a later flowering period.

Caladenia longicauda subsp. insularis, commonly known as the island white spider orchid is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single hairy leaf and up to four yellowish-white flowers with long, mostly spreading lateral sepals and petals. It is a relatively rare, self-pollinating subspecies and often flowers which are in bud, open and finished are seen on a single plant.

Caladenia luteola, commonly known as the lemon spider orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single, hairy leaf and up to three lemon-yellow flowers with red stripes on the labellum. It is only known from two small populations near Woodanilling.

<i>Caladenia pendens <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> talbotii</i> Subspecies of orchid

Caladenia pendens subsp. talbotii, commonly known as Talbot's spider orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single hairy leaf and one or two white, red and yellow flowers with long drooping petals and sepals and sometimes has a citrus-like scent.

Caladenia pholcoidea subsp. pholcoidea, commonly known as the Albany spider orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single hairy leaf and up to four pale yellow flowers with long drooping petals and lateral sepals.

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

Caladenia procera, commonly known as the Carbunup king spider orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single erect, hairy leaf and up to four greenish-yellow and red flowers. It is one of the tallest and has amongst the largest flowers of the spider orchids.

Caladenia petrensis, commonly known as the rock 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 yellow flowers with drooping lateral sepals and petals.

Caladenia ultima, commonly known as the late spider orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single erect, hairy leaf and up to three creamy-yellow flowers with a red-striped labellum. It is one of the last spiders orchids to flower each year.

Caladenia validinervia, commonly known as the Lake Muir spider orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single erect, hairy leaf and up to three greenish to creamy white flowers with red stripes on the sepals and petals. The flowers have relatively narrow sepals and petals and a relatively small labellum. It is a rare orchid only known from an area between Rocky Gully and Collie.

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

Caladenia vulgata, commonly known as the common spider orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a relatively common and widespread orchid with a single erect, hairy leaf and up to three creamy-white flowers. There is some variation in the species, both in flower colour and growth habit.

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

Caladenia williamsiae, commonly known as Judy's spider orchid, or Williams' spider orchid is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a rare species with a single relatively large, erect, hairy leaf and one or two delicate, greenish-yellow and red flowers. It is only known from a single population near Brookton.

References

  1. 1 2 "Caladenia elegans". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Hoffman, Noel; Brown, Andrew (2011). Orchids of South-West Australia (3rd ed.). Gooseberry Hill: Noel Hoffman. p. 69. ISBN   9780646562322.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Brown, Andrew; Dundas, Pat; Dixon, Kingsley; Hopper, Stephen (2008). Orchids of Western Australia. Crawley, Western Australia: University of Western Australia Press. p. 58. ISBN   9780980296457.
  4. 1 2 3 Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 102. ISBN   1877069124.
  5. 1 2 3 "Elegant Spider Orchid" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Conservation and Land Management. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 "Conservation advice Caladenia elegans" (PDF). Australian Government Department of the Environment. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  7. "Caladenia elegans". APNI. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  8. Hopper, Stephen D.; Brown, Andrew P. (2001). "Contributions to Western Australian orchidology: 2. New taxa and circumscriptions in Caladenia". Nuytsia. 14 (1/2): 221–224. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  9. Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 131.
  10. 1 2 "Caladenia elegans". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  11. "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 31 January 2017.