Caladenia congesta
Black-tongue Caladenia
Very slender erect perennial growing from round tubers, scattered or forming loose colonies. Sparsely hairy green or reddish stem. Dies down in hot weather.
Additional information
- SynonymStegostyla congesta
- FamilyOrchidaceae
- StoreyLower storey
- Size17-50 cm high
- Plant groupingOrchids
- LeavesSingle narrow sparsely hairy leaf 8-20 cm x 1-5 mm.
- Flower colourBright pink with black lip (labellum)
- Flowering timeOctober to December
- Flowers1-4 flowers to 30 mm across; petals & sepals spreading, flat; central sepal shorter, erect, hooded. Lip black-tipped, 3-lobed, mid-lobe narrow, curved down, covered in stalkless shiny black warts (calli).
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsMoist well drained soil in foothill forests. 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 statusSignificant within the Shire. Known from few local sites where plants are scattered.
- Aboriginal Use Food - tuber
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1 P. Orme © Australian National Botanic Gardens; 2, 3 Cathy Powers ©
Plant Communities