About Caladenia aurantiaca (R.S.Rogers) Rupp
Caladenia aurantiaca is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous herb that grows from an underground tuber. It produces a single hairy leaf, measuring 3–10 cm (1–4 in) long and 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 in) wide. One or two white flowers with orange tips grow on a thin, wiry, sparsely hairy flowering spike that reaches 5–22 cm (2–9 in) in height. Each individual flower is 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) wide. The dorsal sepal is erect on its lower portion, curves forward to partially cover the column, and is oblong in shape, measuring 7–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and 2 mm (0.08 in) wide. The lateral sepals are narrow lance-shaped, 7–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and 2.5 mm (0.1 in) wide; they point downwards and usually lie parallel to one another. Petals are roughly the same size as the sepals, and either spread widely or point downwards. The labellum is egg-shaped, about 5 mm (0.2 in) long and 6 mm (0.2 in) wide, and divided into three lobes. The lateral lobes are erect, surround the column, and have slightly wavy edges. The mid-lobe is triangular, curves downwards, and bears up to 3 pairs of short, orange calli along its edge. Two rows of calli run along the center of the labellum. The column is pale green, broad, and has broad wings. Flowering occurs from August to November. The flowers of this species are self-pollinating and remain open for no more than four days. Caladenia aurantiaca grows in near-coastal regions east of Melbourne, where it inhabits moist heath on sandy soil. It has also been recorded growing on Deal Island in Bass Strait.
