WANOSCG Orchid Fact Sheet

Caladenia ensata

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Name and Authority

Caladenia ensata Nicholls

Synonyms (previous names)

Arachnorchis ensata; Calonema ensata; Calonemorchis ensata

Common Name

Stumpy Spider Orchid

Complex Name

Caladenia longiclavata (Clubbed Spider Orchids)

Originally Described by

William Nicholls in Victorian Naturalist 64:136 (1947)

Distribution and Habitat

Albany to Harvey, growing in sandy soils in forests, woodlands and shrublands. Plants often flower in greater profusion in the season following summer fire.

Flowering Months

· · · · · · · · Sep Oct Nov ·

Description

A common species 200–350 mm (rarely to 40 mm) high with a hairy leaf 70–200 mm long by 20–25 mm wide and up to three green, yellow and red flowers 30–40 mm across.

Distinguishing Features

The species is sometimes confused with the related Clubbed Spider Orchid (Caladenia longiclavata) but has smaller flowers and a smaller labellum with shorter, more widely spaced fringe segments.

WA Conservation Code (Threatened Status)

Not Listed

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