About Caladenia hirta Lindl.
Caladenia hirta Lindl. is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, sympodial herb. It produces a single erect or ground-hugging, broadly linear leaf that measures 40–200 mm long and 5–20 mm wide. The whole plant reaches 10–60 mm in height, and bears up to six white or pink-and-white flowers that are 40–200 mm long and 30–50 mm wide. The dorsal sepal is erect and curves forward, measuring 15–35 mm long and 2.5–3.5 mm wide. The lateral sepals are 15–37 mm long and 3–7 mm wide, and the petals are 10–35 mm long and 2–4 mm wide. The labellum is white, 10–20 mm long and 5–8 mm wide, with 4 rows of pink calli along its centre. Flowering time varies between different subspecies of this species. The common candy orchid subspecies of C. hirta grows in Banksia, tuart and peppermint woodland. It occurs between Arrowsmith and Albany, across the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain and Warren bioregions of south-west Western Australia. The pink candy orchid subspecies is also common and widespread, and often grows on granite outcrops, at the edges of salt lakes, and in other moist areas. It occurs between Kalbarri and Israelite Bay, across the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie, Esperance Plains, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Murchison, Swan Coastal Plain, Warren and Yalgoo bioregions.
