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Range of Paracaleana granitica
Range of Paracaleana granitica.

Granite Duck Orchid
Paracaleana granitica Hopper & A.P.Br. 2006

Synonyms

Notes

The Granite Duck Orchid is one of three known species of Duck Orchid in south-western WA that grow in shallow soil pockets on granite outcrops, the other two being the Slender-leafed Duck Orchid (Paracaleana gracilicordata) and the Flying Duck Orchid (Paracaleana nigrita). While quite similar in appearance to the Slender-leafed Duck Orchid, the Granite Duck Orchid is easily distinguished by its short scapes with larger flowers of slightly different colour, broader leaf (which is usually withered at the time of flowering) and the labellum which is held more or less horizontally instead of pointing upwards. The peak flowering time is November.

The Granite Duck Orchid is currently known from only a single granite outcrop on the Darling Scarp near Perth, WA, making it one of the rarest orchids in the world. The only known colony is made up of a few dozen plants scattered over just a few square metres. Due to their small size and dull colouration, Granite Duck Orchids are extremely difficult to locate, and it would therefore appear likely that additional, undiscovered populations exist on other granite outcrops across the Darling Scarp.

Photos

Paracaleana granitica
View of the full plant; note the short scape. (Darling Scarp, WA, 03 / 11 / 2017)
Paracaleana granitica
Close-up view of the flower. (Darling Scarp, WA, 03 / 11 / 2017)
Paracaleana granitica
Close-up view of the characteristic, broad, flat labellum, between one third and one half of which is covered with black calli. (Darling Scarp, WA, 03 / 11 / 2017)
Paracaleana granitica
Granite Duck Orchids form loose colonies in mossy soil pockets on granite outcrops. (Darling Scarp, WA, 03 / 11 / 2017)
Paracaleana granitica
Due to their small size, Granite Duck Orchids are extremely difficult to locate. (Darling Scarp, WA, 03 / 11 / 2017)
Paracaleana granitica
View of the habitat: shallow soil pockets on granite outcrops with cushions of moss and lichen. (Darling Scarp, WA, 03 / 11 / 2017)

References