Caladenia startiorum

Caladenia startiorum Hopper & A.P.Br.

Arachnorchis startiorum; Calonemorchis starteorum

Start's Spider Orchid

Caladenia huegelii (King Spider Orchids)

Stephen Hopper & Andrew Brown in Nuytsia 14:150,151 (2001)

Denbarker to Porongorups, growing in clay and sandy-clay soils in seasonally wet flats and adjacent woodlands, flowering best in the season following summer fire.

· · · · · · · Aug Sep Oct · ·

A rare species 200–600 mm high with a hairy leaf 100–200 mm long by 7–10 mm wide and up to three pink to pale red flowers 60–90 mm across.

It is distinguished from the related Majestic Spider Orchid (Caladenia winfieldii) by its white (rather than pale pink) base to the labellum, shorter petals and lateral sepals and shorter clubs. It also flowers earlier than C. winfieldii. From the similar C. harringtoniae it is distinguished by its shorter, clubbed sepals and larger labellum with longer fringe segments.

Priority Two

Named in honour of WA Native Orchid Study and Conservation Group member(s): Start Family