Caladenia grampiana

Caladenia grampiana, commonly known as the Grampians spider orchid[2] is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the Grampians National Park in Victoria. It is a ground orchid with a single hairy leaf and a one or two pale tawny-yellow or pinkish flowers similar to those of Caladenia oenochila.

Grampians spider orchid
Caladenia grampiana in the Grampians National Park
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Orchidaceae
Subfamily:	Orchidoideae
Tribe:	Diurideae
Genus:	Caladenia
Species:	C. grampiana
Binomial name
Caladenia grampiana (D.L.Jones) G.N.Backh.[1]
Synonyms
Arachnorchis grampiana D.L.Jones[1]

Description

Caladenia grampiana is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single hairy leaf, 50–100 mm (2–4 in) long and 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide with a reddish base. One or two flowers borne on a spike 150–260 mm (6–10 in) tall. The sepals 32–55 mm (1–2 in) long, 2.5–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide and pale tawny-yellow or pinkish with drooping tips. The petals are similar to the sepals but shorter. The labellum is 13–17 mm (0.5–0.7 in) long, 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide and curves forward with the tip rolled downwards and the sides turned upwards. It is cream to red with linear teeth 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 in) long along its sides and four or six rows of calli along its mid-line. Flowering occurs in August or September.[3]

Taxonomy and naming

The species was first formally described by David L. Jones in 2006 and given the name Arachnorchis grampiana. The description was published in Australian Orchid Research.[4] In 2007, Gary Backhouse changed the name to Caladenia grampiana and the change was published in The Victorian Naturalist.[1]

Distribution and habitat

Caladenia grampiana is only known from the Grampians National Park where it grows in heathy woodland in well-drained soil.[3]

Conservation

This species is classified as "vulnerable" by the Victorian government.[3] and is listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.[5]

References

1. "Caladenia grampiana". APNI. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
2. Sparrow, Kevin. "Caladenia gampiana Grampians spider-orchid". Nature Share. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
3. Jeanes, Jeffrey. "Caladenia grampiana". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria: Vicflora. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
4. "Arachnorchis grampiana". APNI. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
5. "Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 Threatened List December 2016" (PDF). Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning. Retrieved 8 February 2017.