486B-3-Caladenia-moschata-RH.jpg

Caladenia moschata

Musky Caladenia

Very slender erect perennial growing from round tubers, forming small colonies. Stem green or reddish. Dies down in hot weather.

Additional information

  • Synonymmisapplied to Caladenia gracilis, Stegostyla gracilis
  • FamilyOrchidaceae
  • StoreyLower storey
  • Size16-45 cm high
  • Plant groupingOrchids
  • LeavesSingle narrow fleshy sparsely hairy leaf 6-18 cm x 1-4 mm.
  • Flower colourWhite, back covered in red to brown hairs
  • Flowering timeSeptember to November
  • Flowers2-7 musk-scented flowers to 40 mm wide; sepals & petals stiff, spreading, central sepal hooded. Lip 3-lobed with reddish spots, mid lobe tip fringed, tightly recurved, 4 rows yellow or purple clubbed warts (calli).
  • Bird attractingNo
  • Butterfly attractingNo
  • Frog habitatNo
  • Growing conditionsWell drained soil in open forests of ridges and slopes. 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
Photographer/s: 1, 4 Marilyn Bull ©; 2 Cathy Powers ©; 3 Richard Hartlands ©

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