884B-2-Caladenia-clavigera-fl-Cathy-Powers.jpg

Caladenia clavigera

Plain-lip or Clubbed Spider-orchid

Slender perennial growing from round tubers, scattered or in small colonies. Stem green to brown, hairy. Dies down in hot weather.

Additional information

  • SynonymArachnorchis clavigera
  • FamilyOrchidaceae
  • StoreyLower storey
  • Size10-40 cm high
  • Plant groupingOrchids
  • LeavesSingle lance-shaped leaf, red-spotted near base, 4-10 cm x 5-10 mm, sparsely hairy.
  • Flower colourYellowish-green with red central stripe, lip green with maroon
  • Flowering timeSeptember to November
  • FlowersSingle flower to 40 mm wide; sepals flat, spreading, tapering to a thread-like black clubbed tail, petals lack clubbed tail; central sepal erect, hooded. Heart-shaped lip curved forward, mid lobe maroon, 4-6 rows purple warts to base of mid lobe.
  • Bird attractingNo
  • Butterfly attractingNo
  • Frog habitatNo
  • Growing conditionsMoist well drained soil in heathy woodland. Full sun, 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 statusPresumed extinct within the Shire. Two old collections for the Shire. It may have also occurred in the Green Scentbark Herb-rich Foothill Forest.
  • Aboriginal Use Food - tuber
Photographer/s: 1 Colin Rowan ©; 2, 3 Cathy Powers ©

Plant Communities

  • 29 Green Scentbark Herb-rich Foothill Forest (EVC 23)
  • 18 Messmate Shrubby Foothill Forest - Dandenongs (EVC 45)
  • 22 Silver-leaf Stringybark Heathy Woodland (EVC 48)
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