About Caladenia ferruginea Nicholls
Caladenia ferruginea (commonly known as the rusty spider orchid) produces a single erect, hairy leaf, measuring 120–220 mm (5–9 inches) long and 4–15 mm (0.2–0.6 inches) wide. Up to four flowers grow on a stalk that reaches 200–600 mm (8–20 inches) in height; each flower is 60–80 mm (2–3 inches) long and 40–60 mm (1.6–2.4 inches) wide. The flowers are colored rusty-brown to brownish-red. The dorsal sepal is erect, measures 35–50 mm (1–2 inches) long, and is about 2 mm (0.08 inches) wide at its base. Lateral sepals are 35–50 mm (1–2 inches) long and 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 inches) wide at the base; they spread stiffly, and their tips are covered in thick brownish glandular hairs. Petals are 25–40 mm (1–2 inches) long, 2–4 mm (0.08–0.2 inches) wide, and curve upwards. The labellum is 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 inches) long and 10–13 mm (0.4–0.5 inches) wide. It is pale yellow to white with a curved forward red tip. Many thin teeth up to 7 mm (0.3 inches) long line the sides of the labellum, decreasing in size toward the tip, and four or more rows of yellowish to reddish calli run along its center line. Flowering occurs from September to October. The rusty spider orchid is distributed between Perth and Albany in Western Australia, within the Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain and Warren biogeographic regions. It grows in a variety of habitats, from well-drained soil in woodlands to winter-flooded swamps.
