orchids

West Australian Orchids

February 28th, 2012

West Australian Orchids by Emily Pelloe. “Half hiding, half peeping, the orchids appear”

Caladenia

February 25th, 2012

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Caladenia [kal-a-dean-ee-er] from kalos, beautiful, and adenos, a gland, referring to the glands on the lip, and the great beauty of the Species generally.

A large genus of hairy plants, with several species in New Zealand, and between 60 and 70 endemic to Australia, and chiefly represented in Western Australia. Caldenia species are readily distinguished by the rows of calli or glandular hairs upon the lip Leaf solitary, linear-lanceolate or oblong. Flowers solitary or very few in a loose raceme, variously coloured. Dorsal sepal usually erect or incurved over the column, while the lateral petals and the other two sepals are somewhat flat and spreading. The length and shape of the petals and sepals vary considerably in the different species which are divided into easily defined sections.  … Read more

Blue Lady Orchid

April 29th, 2011

Thelymitra crinita, commonly known as the Blue Lady Orchid, is a species of orchid which is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It grows to 70 cm in height and produces blue flowers between September and November (spring) in its native range.

Pink Fairy Orchid

April 28th, 2011

The Pink Fairy Orchid (Caladenia latifolia) is species of orchid found across southern Australia. The flowers may be solitary or in an inflorescence of a few flowers and appear during August – October.

Donkey Orchid

April 28th, 2011

Diuris is a genus of herbaceous plant belonging to the orchid family (Orchidaceae). The common name Donkey Orchid is logically derived from the appearance of the two lateral petals, protruding from the top of the flower like the two ears of a donkey.