About Caladenia serotina Hopper & A.P.Br.
Caladenia serotina Hopper & A.P.Br. is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous herb that grows from an underground tuber. It produces a single erect, hairy leaf that measures 100–200 mm (4–8 in) long and 4–20 mm (0.2–0.8 in) wide. Between one and three flowers are borne on a stalk that grows 250–600 mm (10–20 in) tall; each flower is 80–120 mm (3–5 in) long and 80–100 mm (3–4 in) wide, with variable amounts of red and white or cream coloring. The sepals and petals have long, thick, yellowish tips. The erect dorsal sepal is 55–100 mm (2–4 in) long and 3–6 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. The lateral sepals are similar in size, but spread widely and curve stiffly downwards near their tips. The petals are 45–80 mm (2–3 in) long and 2–4 mm (0.08–0.2 in) wide, and are arranged the same way as the lateral sepals. The labellum is 16–30 mm (0.6–1 in) long and 10–14 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide, and is white with narrow red teeth up to 7 mm (0.3 in) long along its sides. The tip of the labellum is curled under, and four to eight rows of red, cream or white calli run along the labellum's mid-line. Flowering takes place from October to early January, and is more prolific after a summer fire the previous year. Common name Christmas spider orchid, this orchid occurs between Perth and Bremer Bay, Western Australia, in the Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain and Warren biogeographic regions. It grows in winter-wet areas, and sometimes flowers while in shallow water.
