Caladenia microchila

Caladenia microchila Hopper & A.P.Br.

Calonema microchilum; Calonemorchis microchila; Jonesiopsis microchila

Western Wispy Spider Orchid

Caladenia filamentosa (Wispy Spider Orchids)

Stephen Hopper & Andrew Brown in Nuytsia 14:250-253, Figs. 61A-F (2001)

Kondinin to Madura, growing on inland granite outcrops and rocky hills but also occurs on limestone ridges near the coast. The species is also found in South Australia.

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A common species 90–250 mm high with a green, often basally reddish-purple, prominently hairy leaf 80–120 mm long by 2–3 mm wide and up to three white to creamy-white flowers 30–60 mm across. There are two forms – an inland form (the type) with spreading petals and lateral sepals and a coastal form with longer, often pendulous petals and lateral sepals.

It is distinguished from the related Ironcaps Spider Orchid (Caladenia paradoxa) by its smaller, consistently cream flowers, usually upswept petals and narrower labellum.

Not Listed