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.
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.
 |  Caladenia macrostylis |  |
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 as they are locally rare.
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The lazy spider orchid's insect-shaped labellum indicates that it tricks flower wasps into pollinating them, as does the dragon orchid (Caladenia Barbarossa).
Even more exciting was a find in this reserve of the Bent Spider Orchid, which is a Caladenia multiclava /Caladenia polychroma hybrid
Even more exciting was a find in this reserve of the Bent Spider Orchid, which is a Caladenia multiclava /Caladenia polychroma hybrid
 Bent spider orchid |  Bent spider orchid |  Caladenia polychroma |
| hammer_orchid_pollination.pdf |
The intriguing article below tells how spider orchid species could have evolved from general insect pollination to targetting flower wasps.
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.
 Caladenia chapmanii |  Caladenia longiclavata |  Caladenia macrostylis |
 Caladenia discoidea |  Caladenia multiclavia |  Caladenia barbarossa |
Spiculaea 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