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Tuart Spider Orchid
Caladenia georgei Hopper & A.P.Br. 2001

Synonyms

Notes

The Tuart Spider Orchid is restricted to the coastal plain from just north of Perth to near Busselton in Western Australia, where the orchids grow in sandy soils in woodland and coastal heath. The main flowering period is September to October. It is one of the largest and most spectacular Spider Orchids of Australia, with long, variably coloured petals and sepals and a large, broad, maroon-tipped labellum with long fringe segments that are sometimes split near the end.

The Tuart Spider Orchid looks very similar to the Carousel Spider Orchid (Caladenia arenicola), and both species have a similar geographic range. Hybrids between the two species are common, making identification even more difficult, in particular in the Perth metropolitan area. The situation becomes less confusing further south in the region around Bunbury and Busselton, where the Carousel Spider Orchid does not occur.

The Tuart Spider Orchid can be distinguished from the Carousel Spider Orchid by its usually larger, broader labellum with long, rugged fringe segments and the fact that the petals are usually pointed rather than clubbed and stiffly held rather than pendulous. Both species come in a wide range of different colours, so colour alone cannot be used for identification.

Photos

Caladenia georgei
View of the large flower with its characteristic clubbed sepals and pointed petals. (Lake Clifton, WA, 02 / 10 / 2016)
Caladenia georgei
View of the large, broad labellum with long, rugged fringe segments. (Lake Clifton, WA, 02 / 10 / 2016)
Caladenia georgei
Flower colour is highly variable. Some flowers are dark purple… (Lake Clifton, WA, 02 / 10 / 2016)
Caladenia georgei
…while others have pale, cream-coloured petals and sepals. (Lake Clifton, WA, 02 / 10 / 2016)
Caladenia georgei
View of the full plant in its typical woodland habitat in the season following a summer bushfire. (Lake Clifton, WA, 02 / 10 / 2016)
Caladenia georgei
Front view of the characteristic flower, here of a pink-coloured specimen. (Myalup, WA, 06 / 10 / 2013)
Caladenia georgei
Side view of the flower. Note the stiffly held, pointed petals. (Myalup, WA, 06 / 10 / 2013)
Caladenia georgei
Another view of the large labellum and rugged fringe segments. (Myalup, WA, 06 / 10 / 2013)

References