French island spider orchid (Caladenia insularis)
Description
Caladenia insularis is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with a spherical underground tuber. It has a single, hairy, lance-shaped, reddish-green leaf, 50–85 mm (2–3 in) long and 7–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide. There is usually only a single flower on a spike 300–400 mm (10–20 in) tall. The flowers are cream-coloured, pink or pale yellow flower heavily streaked with red. The dorsal sepal is 30–60 mm (1–2 in) long, 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide and curves forward. The lateral sepals are 30–60 mm (1–2 in) long, 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) wide with thin, red, club-like glandular tips, and curve stiffly downwards. The petals are 25–45 mm (1–2 in) long, about 5 mm (0.2 in) wide, also curve downwards and sometimes have club-like ends. The labellum is narrow triangular in shape, 10–13 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long, 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide and dark red. The sides of the labellum have short, blunt, dark red teeth, its tip is rolled under and there are four or six well-spaced rows of calli along its mid-line. Flowering occurs in September and October.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum:
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Class: Liliopsida
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Order: Asparagales
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Family: Orchidaceae
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Genus: Caladenia
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