885B-1-Caladenia-filamentosa-hab-Cathy-Powers.jpg

Caladenia filamentosa

Red Daddy-long-legs

Slender perennial herb growing from round tubers, colonies scattered, in small dense clumps. Stem green or reddish, covered in soft long hairs. Dies down in hot weather.

Additional information

  • SynonymCalonemorchis filamentosa
  • FamilyOrchidaceae
  • StoreyLower storey
  • Size10-40 cm high
  • Plant groupingOrchids
  • LeavesSingle narrow lance-shaped leaf, reddish at base, 6-10 cm x 2-5 mm, very hairy.
  • Flower colourDeep crimson, reddish or pink with white margins, lip paler with dark stripes
  • Flowering timeSeptember to October
  • Flowers1-4 hairy flowers to 80 mm wide; sepals and petals thread-like, to 70 mm long, spreading, tails drooping; central sepal erect, slightly incurved. Egg-shaped lip curved forward, 2 rows of fleshy warts, tip curved under.
  • Bird attractingNo
  • Butterfly attractingNo
  • Frog habitatNo
  • Growing conditionsMoist well drained soil in open forest. 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 statusProbably locally extinct.
  • Aboriginal Use Food - tuber
Photographer/s: Cathy Powers ©

Plant Communities

  • 27 Red Stringybark Grassy Dry Forest - Dandenongs (EVC 22)
  • Page 1 of 1