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Green Comb Spider orchid

Caladenia sp.

Photo by MartinL
Published on Project Noah
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-37.6018, 145.28

Field Notes

Description:

From St Andrews.
This spectacular flower grows on open woodland.
There were several found

Habitat:

Open undisturbed woodland among other wildflowers.

Notes:

There are several species but I have not looked closely yet.
Green Comb Spider orchid? Caladenia dilatata ?
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/780656005 ?
Caladenia macroclavia (synonym of dilatata) (Green-comb Spider Orchid)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/arthur_chapman/8511574922/
Arachnorchis atrovespa
http://www.retiredaussies.com/ColinsHome%20Page/OrchidsNSW/Arachnorchis…

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (15)
MartinL
Thanks Marc. Its the season now to go and find some more.
MartinL
Thanks for your comments Leuba and Vinny
Leuba Ridgway
Lovely series Martin. Hope I get to see one of these - so delicate.
Vinny
Great bit of bush Martin, so many Green Comb Spider Orchids, I suspect both C. parva and C. phaeoclavia are there. Apparently C. dilatata has flattened yellow clubs on the end of the sepals and C. tentaculata is much larger (almost twice the size.
Vinny
Orchid taxonomy seems to change like the wind, a lot of genera where taken out of Caladenia and recently put back in. http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/viclist/a/index.htm (The Vic List is the general consensus for tracking name changes)
Vinny
The length of the green comb and the position of the flower facing upward might be features to consider....
MartinL
I have a suggestion that it is the rather more common Mantis Orchid http://www.retiredaussies.com/ColinsHome%20Page/Orchids/Arachnorchis/tentaculata.htm This site says that Caladenia is an obsolete taxon.
Vinny
I'm certainly no expert but I'll help where I can, will check that spot out, it's just down the road from where I work.
MartinL
Thanks Vinny. You have got me inspired now. But I will havce to lean on you for some expert info. My travdelling buddy, Geoff W. knows this spot and said that some people call it the St Andrews Spider orchid. I will leave the geo pin exact for a day or two in case you want to take note.
Vinny
For comparison to C. parva http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/780656005
Vinny
Several species have been separated from C. dilatata including, C. parva (small green comb) and C. phaeoclavia (brown clubbed spider orchid). C. dilatata doesn't occur within the Melbourne area but may be in St. Andrews? C. phaeoclavia has a larger flower than C. parva 40mm rather than 30mm.
MartinL
You can walk right past and miss it altogether. I think these are not common.
Mark Ridgway
You're right.. it's time to look for flowers like these.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Wild Orchids
Mission
Plants of South Eastern Australia

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Photographed
PublishedOctober 14, 2014

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