About Caladenia paludosa Hopper & A.P.Br.
Caladenia paludosa Hopper & A.P.Br. is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous herb that grows from an underground tuber. This orchid produces a single erect, hairy leaf that measures 100–300 mm (4–10 in) long and 5–15 mm (0.2–0.6 in) wide. Up to three flowers, colored red, greenish-yellow and cream, are borne on a stalk 300–500 mm (10–20 in) tall. Each flower is 30–50 mm (1–2 in) long and 50–80 mm (2–3 in) wide. The sepals of this species have thick, brown, club-shaped glandular tips 10–25 mm (0.4–1 in) long. The dorsal sepal is erect, measuring 35–60 mm (1–2 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. The lateral sepals are 35–60 mm (1–2 in) long and 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) wide, and curve stiffly downwards. The petals are 30–45 mm (1–2 in) long, 2–4 mm (0.08–0.2 in) wide, and curve upwards. The labellum is 7–25 mm (0.3–1 in) long and 8–16 mm (0.3–0.6 in) wide; it is greenish-yellow with a glossy red tip that curls downwards. The sides of the labellum have linear teeth up to 5 mm (0.2 in) long, and four widely spaced pale or deep red calli run along its mid-line. Flowering occurs between September and early December. This species, commonly called the swamp spider orchid, is found on the coastal plain between Gingin and Gracetown in Western Australia, within the Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Swan Coastal Plain and Warren biogeographic regions. It grows in thick scrubland that becomes swampy during winter.
