Caladenia graminifolia

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Grass-leafed 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. graminifolia
Binomial name
Caladenia graminifolia
Synonyms
  • Arachnorchis graminifolia(A.S.George) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.
  • Calonema graminifolia(A.S.George) Szlach.
  • Calonemorchis graminifolia(A.S.George) Szlach.

Caladenia graminifolia, commonly known as the grass-leafed spider orchid is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single glabrous leaf and one or two short-lived, greenish-yellow and red flowers which have a narrow labellum with long teeth on its sides.

Contents

Description

Caladenia graminifolia is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single, nearly hairless leaf, 100–180 mm (4–7 in) long and about 6 mm (0.2 in) wide. One or two greenish-yellow and red flowers 40–60 mm (1.6–2.4 in) long and 30–50 mm (1–2 in) wide are borne on a stalk 150–350 mm (6–10 in) tall. The flowers are self-pollinating and are only open for a day or two. The lateral sepals and petals have thickened glandular tips, more prominent on the lateral sepals. The dorsal sepal is erect, 22–35 mm (0.9–1 in) long and 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) wide. The lateral sepals are 22–35 mm (0.9–1 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) wide, turn downwards and often cross each other. The petals are 18–25 mm (0.7–1 in) long and about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide and spread widely, mostly horizontally. The labellum is 10–14 mm (0.4–0.6 in) long and 14–18 mm (0.6–0.7 in) wide and greenis-white with a red tip. The sides of the labellum have a fringe of teeth up to 6 mm (0.2 in) long and there are two or four rows of maroon calli up to 3 mm (0.1 in) long, along the centre of the labellum. Flowering occurs from August to September. [1] [2] [3]

Taxonomy and naming

Caladenia graminifolia was first formally described by Alex George in 1971 and the description was published in Nuytsia from a specimen at Culham Inlet. [4] The specific epithet (graminifolia) is derived from the Latin gramen, graminis meaning "grass" and -folius meaning "-leaved", referring to the grass-like leaf of this orchid. [5]

Distribution and habitat

The grass-leafed spider orchid occurs between Mount Manypeaks and Israelite Bay in the Esperance Plains and Mallee biogeographic regions. It grows in woodland under tall shrubs and sometimes on granite outcrops. [2] [3] [6]

Conservation

Caladenia graminifolia is classified as "Not Threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife. [6]

Related Research Articles

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

Caladenia paludosa, commonly known as the swamp 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 red, greenish-yellow and cream-coloured flowers. It mostly grows in dense scrub and is one of the last of the similar spider orchids to flower.

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

Caladenia crebra, commonly known as the Arrowsmith spider orchid is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has one or two relatively large, greenish-yellow flowers whose lateral sepals have thin brown "clubs" on their ends.

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

Caladenia denticulata subsp. denticulata, commonly known as the yellow 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 one or two yellowish flowers which have a white labellum with pale red markings.

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

Caladenia ensata, commonly known as the stumpy spider orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a common orchid within its natural range and has a single, hairy leaf and up to three pale yellow and red flowers which have short but thick, fleshy glandular tips.

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

Caladenia excelsa, commonly known as the giant spider orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to a small area in the south-west of Western Australia. It is a rare species with a single, hairy leaf and up to three cream-coloured to greenish-cream flowers with long, drooping sepals and petals. It is one of the tallest spider orchids in Western Australia and, with Caladenia splendens, has the largest flowers of any Western Australian orchid.

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

Caladenia exilis subsp. exilis, commonly known as the salt lake spider orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a relatively common spider orchid with a single erect, hairy leaf and up to three white to greenish-cream flowers with a small white, red-striped labellum.

Caladenia graniticola, commonly known as the Pingaring 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 yellowish-green, red and white flowers which have a greenish-yellow and white labellum with a red tip. It was originally described as Caladenia hoffmanii subsp. graniticola but has a slightly different labellum and column.

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 infundibularis</i> Species of orchid

Caladenia infundibularis, commonly known as the funnel-web 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 greenish-yellow flowers which have a red-tipped labellum.

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

Caladenia longiclavata, commonly known as the clubbed spider orchid is a species of plant in the orchid family, Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a widespread and common orchid with a single, hairy leaf and one or two greenish-yellow, white and red flowers and which grows in the area between Perth and Albany.

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

Caladenia macrostylis, commonly known as the leaping 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 distinctive pale greenish-yellow and red flowers with a cluster of deep purplish calli in the centre of its labellum.

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

Caladenia magniclavata, commonly known as the big clubbed 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 pale yellow-green and red flowers with downswept, prominently clubbed sepals and petals.

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

Caladenia multiclavia, commonly known as the lazy 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 cream-coloured flowers resembling a reclining spider. Although it usually only has a single flower, it often grows in clumps of up to six plants.

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

Caladenia pachychila, commonly known as the dwarf zebra orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single erect, hairy leaf and one or two greenish-yellow and red flowers with a red-striped labellum which has a dense cluster of deep purple calli in its centre. It is similar to the zabra orchid but has smaller flowers and the lateral sepals do not clasp the ovary.

<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.

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

Caladenia splendens, commonly known as the splendid spider orchid, or splendid white 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 mostly white flowers with a fringe of long teeth on the sides of the labellum. Along with the giant spider orchid, Caladenia excelsa it is the largest of the spider orchids.

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

Caladenia swartsiorum, commonly known as the Island Point 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 pale greenish-yellow and white flowers and is only known from a small area near the Harvey Estuary.

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

Caladenia uliginosa subsp. uliginosa, commonly known as the dainty spider orchid, or darting 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 greenish-cream flowers which have a forward-projecting labellum with a dark red tip.

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

Caladenia uliginosa subsp. patulens, commonly known as the frail 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 greenish-cream flowers which have a forward-projecting, white labellum.

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.

References

  1. Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 90. ISBN   1877069124.
  2. 1 2 Brown, Andrew; Dundas, Pat; Dixon, Kingsley; Hopper, Stephen (2008). Orchids of Western Australia. Crawley, Western Australia: University of Western Australia Press. p. 126. ISBN   9780980296457.
  3. 1 2 Hoffman, Noel; Brown, Andrew (2011). Orchids of South-West Australia (3rd ed.). Gooseberry Hill: Noel Hoffman. p. 150. ISBN   9780646562322.
  4. "Caladenia graminifolia". APNI. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  5. Francis Aubie Sharr (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings. Kardinya, Western Australia: Four Gables Press. p. 209. ISBN   9780958034180.
  6. 1 2 "Caladenia graminifolia". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.