About Caladenia formosa G.W.Carr
Caladenia formosa is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous herb that grows from an underground tuber. It produces a single reddish-green, hairy leaf, which measures 80–190 mm (3–7 in) long and 5–12 mm (0.2–0.5 in) wide. One, and sometimes two, pale red to crimson flowers 40–60 mm (1.6–2.4 in) across grow on a hairy spike that reaches 200–600 mm (8–20 in) in height. Its sepals and petals taper to a long, thin tip that is densely covered in crowded glands and glandular hairs. The erect dorsal sepal is 40–80 mm (2–3 in) long and 2–3.5 mm (0.08–0.1 in) wide. The lateral sepals are 40–80 mm (2–3 in) long, and 4.5–6 mm (0.18–0.24 in) wide at their base. The petals are 40–60 mm (1.6–2.4 in) long, and 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide at their base. The labellum is 16–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long and 9–11 mm (0.35–0.43 in) wide, with upturned edges and an under-rolled tip. It is pink to red, with red teeth up to 2 mm (0.08 in) long along its edges extending all the way to the tip. There are four or six rows of long, red calli along the centre line of the labellum. Flowering occurs between September and October. This orchid, commonly called the large crimson spider orchid, grows among shrubs or grass in forest and woodland, in well-drained soil. It is currently only known from areas between Cavendish, Penola, Kingston SE and Keith, though it likely had a wider distribution in the past.
