About Caladenia emarginata (Lindl.) Rchb.f.
Caladenia emarginata (formerly classified as Elythranthera emarginata) is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, sympodial herb. It has a few inconspicuous fine roots, and a tuber that is partly surrounded by a fibrous, multi-layered protective sheath. This species often forms colonies. It produces a single flattened, dark green, hairy leaf, 20–80 mm (0.8–3 in) long, about 7 mm (0.3 in) wide, with a reddish base. Up to four glossy pink flowers, 30–50 mm (1–2 in) long and wide, are borne on a 120–250 mm (5–10 in) tall spike. The sepals and petals spread apart from each other and have red or purple blotches on their backs. The dorsal sepal is erect, 16–23 mm (0.6–0.9 in) long and 6–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. Lateral sepals have similar dimensions to the dorsal sepal, while petals are 14–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long and 6–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. The labellum is membranous, 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long, about 1.5 mm (0.06 in) wide, whitish, with its tip twisted into an S-shape. At the base of the labellum there are two fleshy, dark purple, club-shaped parallel calli 5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long. Flowering occurs from October to December. This orchid is distributed from Jurien Bay in the north to Ravensthorpe in the east. It commonly forms colonies or clumps in swamps, near creeks, and in dense heath.
