Pheladenia deformis

Blue Fairies, Bluebeard Caladenia

Slender erect perennial growing from round tubers, forming small clumps. Stem green. Dies down in hot weather.

SynonymCaladenia deformis
FamilyOrchidaceae
StoreyLower storey
Size10-15 cm high
Plant groupingOrchids
LeavesSingle narrow lance-shaped leaf 4-8 cm x 2-4 mm, sparsely hairy.
Flower colourDeep blue
Flowering timeAugust to October
FlowersSingle flower to 40 mm across; sepals and petals similar, central sepal erect or leaning back, petals spreading, sepals projecting forward. Lip erect then bent forward, crowded with pale yellow to blue warts (calli), edge fringed.
Bird attractingNo
Butterfly attractingNo
Frog habitatNo
Growing conditionsWell drained soil in open forest. Full sun, semi shade. Requires fire to flower well.
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 very few local sites where it is in decline.
Aboriginal Use Food - tuber
Related speciesSimilar to caladenias but flower is blue. Similar to Cyanicula caerula which is also blue but labellum (lip) tip is white or yellow instead of blue and is crowded with white warty projections (calli) which may be stalked, toothed or hairy.