About Caladenia footeana Hopper & A.P.Br.
Caladenia footeana is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous herb that grows from an underground tuber, and often forms small clumps of up to ten individual plants. It produces a single erect, hairy leaf that measures 60–80 mm (2–3 in) long and 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) wide. One or two flowers, each 50–90 mm (2–4 in) long and 50–80 mm (2–3 in) wide, are borne on a stalk that reaches 100–220 mm (4–9 in) in height. The flowers are dark pinkish-red with maroon markings, and the sepals and petals have long, thread-like tips. The dorsal sepal is erect, 25–40 mm (1–2 in) long, and around 2 mm (0.08 in) wide at its base. The lateral sepals are 30–40 mm (1–2 in) long and 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) wide at the base; they spread horizontally near their base, then curve or hang downwards. The petals are roughly the same size as the lateral sepals and hang in the same downward orientation. The labellum is 9–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long and 6–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide, and is creamy-white with spreading red lines. The sides of the labellum have short, blunt teeth, and the tip of the labellum curves downwards. Two rows of reddish, anvil-shaped calli run along the centre of the labellum. Flowering takes place from July to early October. This species, commonly called crimson spider orchid, is found between Cranbrook and Binnu in the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest and Swan Coastal Plain biogeographic regions. It grows in woodland or dense shrubland, and sometimes occurs on granite outcrops.
