About Caladenia fulva G.W.Carr
Caladenia fulva G.W.Carr is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous herb that grows from a small, spherical underground tuber. This orchid produces a single green leaf that is marked with red blotches, covered in sparse hairs, and measures 50–120 mm (2–5 in) long by 6–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. One or two creamy-white to pale yellow flowers, each 40–80 mm (2–3 in) across, grow on a dark-colored, hairy flowering spike that reaches 120–250 mm (5–10 in) in height. The sepals and petals taper to thin, blackish, thread-like tips, and sometimes bear red stripes. The dorsal sepal is erect, 60–80 mm (2–3 in) long, and about 4 mm (0.2 in) wide. The lateral sepals are roughly the same length as the dorsal sepal but are wider, spread widely, and have drooping tips. The petals are 50–60 mm (2.0–2.4 in) long, about 4 mm (0.2 in) wide at the base, and arranged in a similar way to the lateral sepals. The labellum ranges from narrow triangular to egg-shaped, is 15–18 mm (0.6–0.7 in) long and 10–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) wide, with upturned edges and a rolled-under tip. It is colored tawny to deep red, and has many pale red teeth up to 2.5 mm (0.1 in) long along its sides; these teeth decrease in size closer to the tip of the labellum. Four or six rows of foot-shaped, reddish calli run along the center line of the labellum. Flowering takes place from September to October. This species, commonly called the tawny spider orchid, is only known to occur in woodland near Stawell, where it grows in well-drained soil.
