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Flying Duck Orchid

Caleana major

Published on Project Noah
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-29.4849, 152.325

Field Notes

Description:

Ground orchid

Habitat:

Elevation 800m on a granite outcrop

Notes:

Resembling a caricature of a flying duck, this distinctive species produces up to five flowers between spring and summer. While not overly common, it is widespread in eastern Australia and Tasmania. It is reliant on a Tulasnella fungus to germinate and deceives wasps into pollinating it.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (45)

I've never seen anything like that before!
What a great flower Mac ... aptly named! Congratulations on your SOTD!
Beautiful and congratulations!
great capture MacChristiansen,congrats on the SOTD and thanks for sharing
Amazing spotting!!!! Congrats for the SOTD
Congrats Mac, this cool orchid has earned you spotting of the day honors! The strange shape of the flying duck orchid's flower is attractive to insects that pollinate the flower in a process known as pseudocopulation. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153345193645603&set=a.10152383557885603.943728.10150120463815603&type=1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/projectnoah/status/389218798797983744
Thanks LiusStevens, it is well named, an amazing little orchid
This orchid is Amazing
It can't have a better name! Beautiful shot Mac.
Fantastic orchid Mac! Perfect for the Wild Orchids mission. http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/8564480
wonderful orchid....
Photographed
PublishedOctober 12, 2013

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