Caladenia iridescens

Caladenia iridescens, commonly known as bronze caps[2] or bronze caladenia[3] is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to Victoria. It is a ground orchid with a single leaf and one or two dusky red, purplish to greenish-brown flowers, often with golden tints and greenish to brownish on the back.

Bronze caps
Caladenia iridescens near Woodend
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Caladenia
Species:
C. iridescens
Binomial name
Caladenia iridescens
Synonyms[1]

Stegostyla iridescens (R.S.Rogers) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.

Description

Caladenia iridescens is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with a spherical underground tuber. It has a single, sparsely hairy, linear leaf, 50–100 mm (2–4 in) long and 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 in) wide. One or two flowers are borne on a spike 100–250 mm (4–10 in) tall. The flowers are dusky red, purplish to greenish-brown flowers, often with golden tints and greenish to brownish on the back. The dorsal sepal is 11–13 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long, about 3 mm (0.1 in) wide and curves forward, more or less forming a hood over the column. The lateral sepals are 13–16 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long, about 3 mm (0.1 in) wide and spread widely or curve downwards. The petals are 13–16 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long, about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide and also spread widely. The labellum is 5–6 mm (0.2–0.2 in) long, about 3 mm (0.1 in) wide and whitish with red or purple lines. The sides of the labellum have blunt, dark red teeth, its tip is rolled under and there are four crowded rows of calli along its mid-line. Flowering occurs in October and November.[2][3][4]

Taxonomy and naming

Caladenia iridescens was first formally described in 1920 by Richard Rogers from a specimen collected at "Hall Gap" and the description was published in Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of South Australia.[1]

Distribution and habitat

Bronze caps occurs mainly in the Grampians where it grows in woodland and shrubby forest.[2][3][4]

References
  1. "Caladenia iridescens". APNI. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  2. Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 47. ISBN 1877069124.
  3. Jeanes, Jeffrey. "Caladenia iridescens". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria: Vicflora. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  4. "Caladenia iridescens". Yarra Ranges Shire Council. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
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