Caladenia alpina

Mountain Caladenia

Stout perennial herb growing from round tubers, forming small colonies. Stem often reddish, hairy. Dies down in hot weather.

Additional information

• SynonymCaladenia lyallii, Stegostyla alpina
• FamilyOrchidaceae
• StoreyLower storey
• Size7-30 cm high
• Plant groupingOrchids
• LeavesSingle thick fleshy elliptic to lance-shaped leaf 9-28 cm x 5-8 mm, sparsely hairy.
• Flower colourWhite, pinkish-red hairs on back
• Flowering timeNovember to January
• Flowers1-3 flowers to 30 mm wide; broad sepals and petals flat, spreading, central sepal broad, hooded. Lip 3-lobed with red to purple spots & bars, mid lobe bluntly toothed, tip curved under, 4 rows of clubbed warts (calli).
• Bird attractingNo
• Butterfly attractingNo
• Frog habitatNo
• Growing conditionsMoist well drained soils in subalpine woodlands, especially with Eucalyptus pauciflora. Frost and snow tolerant. Semi shade.
• Garden useUse of orchids in gardens is not recommended, unless they already occur naturally, in which case they need to be protected. Removing orchids from the bush usually results in their death and further depletes remaining wild orchid populations.
• Commercially availableNever
• Conservation statusLocally common within its preferred growing conditions
• Aboriginal Use Food - tuber

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