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Range of Paracaleana corynephora
Range of Paracaleana corynephora.

Club-lipped Spider Orchid
Caladenia corynephora A.S.George 1971

Synonyms

Notes

The Club-lipped Spider Orchid is endemic to the higher-rainfall areas of south-western WA between Busselton and Albany, where it grows in moist, shady places in forests, swamps and along rivers, lakes and drainage lines. Flowering in early summer, it is the last of WA’s Spider Orchids to flower each season, with the flowering period extending well into January in some places.

Due to its late flowering time and characteristic labellum with long, spread-out fringe segments and large, anvil-shaped calli, the Club-lipped Spider Orchid cannot be confused with any other orchid. The colour of the flowers is quite variable and can range from almost white to pale green or dark maroon. Despite their spectacular flowers, the orchids can be difficult to locate, as they are fairly small and blend in well with the surrounding vegetation and leaf litter.

Photos

Caladenia corynephora
The Club-lipped Spider Orchid is readily identified by its unique labellum. (Gloucester NP, WA, 23 / 12 / 2012)
Caladenia corynephora
Both the sepals and petals are clubbed. (Gloucester NP, WA, 23 / 12 / 2012)
Caladenia corynephora
Close-up view of the characteristic labellum, revealing the anvil-shaped calli. (Gloucester NP, WA, 23 / 12 / 2012)
Caladenia corynephora
Another close-up view of the characteristic labellum and anvil-shaped calli. (Emu Point, WA, 28 / 12 / 2017)
Caladenia corynephora
The colour of the flowers is variable and ranges from almost white to dark red. (Gloucester NP, WA, 23 / 12 / 2012)
Caladenia corynephora
The clubbing of the sepals and petals is quite prominent in this specimen. (Emu Point, WA, 28 / 12 / 2017)
Caladenia corynephora
Comparison with the size of a human thumb. (Walpole–Nornalup NP, WA, 29 / 12 / 2017)
Caladenia corynephora
Club-lipped Spider Orchids usually grow in small groups or colonies. (Walpole–Nornalup NP, WA, 29 / 12 / 2017)
Caladenia corynephora
Club-lipped Spider Orchids are often found in moist, shady situations, such as on slopes alongside rivers, creeks and drainage lines. (Gloucester NP, WA, 03 / 01 / 2018)

References