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Leaping and Lazy Spider Orchids

10/10/2021

2 Comments

 
​Greetings fellow Foxies,
I have been wandering around Foxes Lair since about 1990 but still make new discoveries. Last year i found a single leaping spider orchid (Caladenia macrostylis). Unfortunately, this beautiful double-header is in a public spot and was picked this year, I still pondering on protection measures. It is yet another of the Foxes Lair orchids, which is an only plant or in only one spot.
Picture

PictureCaladenia macrostylis
​


Picture
​This season I stumbled upon a group of lazy spider orchids (Caladenia multiclavia) in the district. They are amongst the most ornate orchids I have seen, particularly when the sun is behind them. They are also very hard to see in their natural habitat. While very carefully placing dead branches around to protect them, I inadvertently stepped on one. Their location will remain secret until they are fenced.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​The lazy spider orchid's insect-shaped labellum indicates that it tricks flower wasps into pollinating them, as does the dragon orchid (Caladenia Barbarossa).
The intriguing article below tells how spider orchid species could have evolved from general insect pollination to targetting flower wasps.
hammer_orchid_pollination.pdf
File Size: 909 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

The article inspired me to collect images below of spider orchid flowers that show changes in glandular calli (raised, fleshy growths on the labellum) to resemble a female flower wasp more closely.
Picture
Caladenia chapmanii
Picture
Caladenia longiclavata
Picture
Caladenia macrostylis
Picture
Caladenia discoidea
Picture
Caladenia multiclavia
Picture
Caladenia barbarossa
PictureSpiculaea ciliata

The ultimate is the flying duck orchid. I have discovered that there is a species in the district and hope to hunt it down next year.

​Another specialist is the elbow orchid Spiculaea ciliata, which flowers on and around granite outcrops

2 Comments
Graham Bowden
11/10/2021 09:30:39 am

I am Bill Bowden's brother and he sends me these from you, Doug.
We are cousins of Stuart Graham of Minnabbe on Clayton road.

Reply
Doug Sawkins
21/10/2021 04:10:32 am

Gidday Graham Hope you enjoy them I have known Stuart and Mark for many years now

Reply



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    Doug Sawkins is a friend of Foxes Lair 

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