Caladenia longicauda subsp. longicauda

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White spider orchid
Caladenia sp JF (John Forrest).jpg
Caladenia longicauda subsp. longicauda in John Forrest National Park
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:
Lindl.
Subspecies:
C. l. subsp. longicauda
Trinomial name
Caladenia longicauda subsp. longicauda

Caladenia longicauda subsp. longicauda, commonly known as the 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, mostly white flowers with long drooping, thread-like ends on the sepals and petals. It grows in woodland and forest.

Contents

Description

Caladenia longicauda subsp. longicauda is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and which sometimes grows as a solitary plant, otherwise in a small clump. It has a single hairy leaf, 180–250 mm (7–10 in) long and 5–15 mm (0.2–0.6 in) wide. Up to four mostly white flowers 100–150 mm (4–6 in) long and 60–90 mm (2–4 in) wide are borne on a spike 350–600 mm (10–20 in) tall. The sepals and petals have long, brown, thread-like tips. The dorsal sepal is erect, 70–110 mm (3–4 in) long and about 3 mm (0.1 in) wide. The lateral sepals are 90–130 mm (4–5 in) long, 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide and spread widely at their bases but with their tips drooping. The petals are 75–90 mm (3–4 in) long, 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide and arranged like the lateral sepals. The labellum is white, 17–24 mm (0.7–0.9 in) long, 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide and white with erect or spreading teeth up to 8 mm (0.3 in) long. The tip of the labellum is curled under and there are for to eight rows of white to reddish calli up to 2 mm (0.08 in) in its centre. The column is 18–22 mm (0.7–0.9 in) long and 8–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide. Flowering occurs from August to October. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Taxonomy and naming

Caladenia longicauda was first formally described by John Lindley in 1840 and the description was published in A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony . [5] In 2001 Stephen Hopper and Andrew Brown described eleven subspecies, including subspecies longicauda and the descriptions were published in Nuytsia . [6] The specific epithet (longicauda) is a derived from the Latin words longus meaning “long" [7] :494 and cauda meaning "a tail" or "appendage" [7] :779 referring to the long thin ends of the sepals and petals. [2]

Distribution and habitat

The white spider orchid is common to the south-west of a line between Lancelin and Mount Barker in the Avon Wheatbelt, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Swan Coastal Plain and Warren biogeographic regions where it grows in woodland and forest. [1] [2] [3] [4] [8]

Conservation

Caladenia longicauda subsp. longicauda is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife. [8]

Related Research Articles

<i>Caladenia longicauda</i>

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 longicauda <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> borealis</i>

Caladenia longicauda subspecies borealis, commonly known as daddy-long-legs 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 mostly white flowers with long, drooping sepals and petals.

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

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.

Caladenia denticulata subsp. rubella, commonly known as the clumped 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 dull or pinkish red flowers with prominent dull red markings and with a white labellum with red markings.

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

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.

<i>Caladenia longicauda <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> australora</i>

Caladenia longicauda subsp. australora, commonly known as the southern 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 mostly white, relatively small flowers. It grows in woodland and mallee on the south coast in and near the Fitzgerald River National Park.

<i>Caladenia longicauda <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> calcigena</i>

Caladenia longicauda subsp. calcigena, commonly known as the coastal 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 mostly white flowers. It grows in coastal sand on the west coast and is distinguished from other subspecies growing in the same area, by its longer sepals and petals, small, narrow labellum and by the arrangement of the calli on its labellum.

<i>Caladenia longicauda <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> clivicola</i>

Caladenia longicauda subsp. clivicola, commonly known as the Darling Scarp white spider orchid, or hills 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 mostly white flowers with long, drooping lateral sepals and petals, a relatively small, narrow labellum and narrow labellum teeth. It grows in a restricted area, mostly on the Darling Scarp.

<i>Caladenia longicauda <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> crassa</i>

Caladenia longicauda subsp. crassa, commonly known as the Esperance 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 mostly white flowers with long, broad, spreading lateral sepals and petals, a relatively broad labellum with short, narrow teeth. It grows on the south coast between Bremer Bay and the Cape Arid National Park.

<i>Caladenia longicauda <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> eminens</i>

Caladenia longicauda subsp. eminens, commonly known as the stark 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, bright white flowers with long, broad, spreading lateral sepals and petals, a relatively broad labellum with short, narrow teeth. It is a relatively common orchid found in a broad band, mainly between Tenterden and Jerramungup.

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

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> redacta</i>

Caladenia longicauda subsp. redacta, commonly known as the tangled 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 long, drooping lateral sepals and petals. It is most similar to subspecies eminems but has smaller flowers and shorter teeth on the side of the labellum.

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

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 longicauda subsp. minima, commonly known as the little 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 mainly white flowers with long, drooping lateral sepals and petals. It is a relatively rare orchid which is similar to the daddy-long-legs spider orchid but has smaller flowers and a more easterly distribution.

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

Caladenia pendens subsp. pendens, commonly known as the pendant 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 relatively large, creamy-white flowers with long drooping petals and sepals and sometimes has a sickly-sweet scent.

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

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.

Caladenia pholcoidea subsp. augustensis, commonly known as the Augustus spider orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a rare orchid with a single hairy leaf and up to three mostly white flowers with long spreading petals and lateral sepals.

References

  1. 1 2 Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. pp. 61–62. ISBN   1877069124.
  2. 1 2 3 Brown, Andrew; Dundas, Pat; Dixon, Kingsley; Hopper, Stephen (2008). Orchids of Western Australia. Crawley, Western Australia: University of Western Australia Press. p. 82. ISBN   9780980296457.
  3. 1 2 Hoffman, Noel; Brown, Andrew (2011). Orchids of South-West Australia (3rd ed.). Gooseberry Hill: Noel Hoffman. p. 90. ISBN   9780646562322.
  4. 1 2 Brown, Andrew P.; Brockman, Garry (2015). "New taxa of Caladenia (Orchidaceae) from south-west Western Australia". Nuytsia. 25: 87.
  5. "Caladenia longicauda". APNI. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  6. "Caladenia longicauda subsp. longicauda". APNI. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
  7. 1 2 Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
  8. 1 2 "Caladenia longicauda subsp. longicauda". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.