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Range of Paracaleana gracilicordata
Range of Paracaleana gracilicordata.

Slender-leafed Duck Orchid
Paracaleana gracilicordata Hopper & A.P.Br. 2006

Synonyms

Notes

The Slender-leafed Duck Orchid is one of the rarest orchids of Australia and is currently known from only a few locations in south-western WA, along the Darling Scarp near Perth, where it grows in mossy soil pockets on exposed granite outcrops. While similar in appearance to the rare Granite Duck Orchid (Paracaleana granitica) and the more common Flying Duck Orchid (Paracaleana nigrita), which can sometimes also be found on granite outcrops, the Slender-leafed Duck Orchid can be distinguished by its narrower leaf, smaller flowers, upward-pointing labellum and late flowering period from October until November. In addition, the glossy, black calli usually extend across less than half the length of the labellum, and both the sepals and petals are pointing forward and are almost parallel to each other.

Photos

Paracaleana gracilicordata
Close-up view of the flower, the sepals and petals both pointing forward. (Darling Scarp, WA, 26 / 10 / 2014)
Paracaleana gracilicordata
The glossy, black calli cover just under half of the length of the labellum. (Darling Scarp, WA, 08 / 10 / 2017)
Paracaleana gracilicordata
Due to their diminutive size and dull colouration the orchids are easily overlooked. (Darling Scarp, WA, 26 / 10 / 2019)
Paracaleana gracilicordata
View of the full plant in its typical habitat. (Darling Scarp, WA, 26 / 10 / 2014)
Paracaleana gracilicordata
Close-up view of the characteristic labellum, just under half of which is covered with black calli. (Darling Scarp, WA, 08 / 10 / 2017)
Paracaleana gracilicordata
Slender-leafed Duck Orchids usually grow in small groups of up to a dozen plants. (Darling Scarp, WA, 26 / 10 / 2014)
Paracaleana gracilicordata
The small, slender leaves are already withered by the time the flowers emerge. (Darling Scarp, WA, 26 / 10 / 2014)
Paracaleana gracilicordata
Slender-leafed Duck Orchids grow in pockets of moss and lichen on granite outcrops. (Darling Scarp, WA, 26 / 10 / 2014)

References