Hort’s Duck Orchid
Paracaleana hortiorum
Synonyms
- Caleana hortiorum
Notes
Despite being relatively common and widespread, Hort’s Duck Orchid was only recently described, as it had in the past been confused with the Flying Duck Orchid (Paracaleana nigrita). Both species often grow in the same location and flower at about the same time of the year in early to mid spring. However, they are fairly easy to tell apart, as Hort’s Duck Orchid has slightly smaller flowers, the labellum is rather narrow and distinctly flask-shaped without a conspicuous hump, and only the tip of the labellum is usually covered in black calli.
As with most other Duck Orchids, Hort’s Duck Orchid is endemic to south-western WA and can be found from just north of Perth to east of Albany. It grows in a variety of different habitats and soils, ranging from sandy soils on the coastal plain to lateritic soils on the Darling Scarp near Perth. The orchids are often encountered in winter-wet situations such as flood plains and river banks, but can also be found in dry habitats.
Photos
References
- Paracaleana hortiorum in the Australian Plant Name Index
- Paracaleana hortiorum in the Atlas of Living Australia
- Paracaleana hortiorum in the Western Australian FloraBase