Caladenia quadrifaria

Caladenia quadrifaria, commonly known as the large pink fingers orchid is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to New South Wales. It is a ground orchid with a single, sparsely hairy leaf and up to three pale to bright pink flowers.

Large pink fingers
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Caladenia
Species:
C. quadrifaria
Binomial name
Caladenia quadrifaria
Synonyms[1]

Description

Caladenia quadrifaria is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single, sparsely hairy, linear leaf, 70–150 mm (3–6 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. Up to three pale pink to bright pink flowers are borne on a spike 100–200 mm (4–8 in) tall. The flowers are greenish-pink or brownish pink on their back where there are many glandular hairs. The dorsal sepal is 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long, 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide and the lateral sepals are 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long and 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) wide. The petals are 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long, 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) wide and spread fan-like with the lateral sepals. The labellum is 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and wide, and pink with reddish bars. The sides of the labellum turn upwards and the tip is curled under. There are four to eight long teeth on each side of the labellum near its tip and four to six rows of large, club-shaped calli along its mid-line. Flowering occurs from August to November.[2][3]

Taxonomy and naming

Caladenia quadrifaria was first formally described in 1991 by David Jones and the description was published in Australian Orchid Research.[1] It had previously been known as a variety of Caladenia carnea identified, but not described by Richard Rogers.[4][5]

In 1999, David Jones also described Caladenia porphyrea but it has not been recognised by the National Herbarium of New South Wales as a separate species.[6][7]

Distribution and habitat

The large pink fingers orchid occurs in coastal areas of New South Wales between Brunswick Heads and Lake Tabourie where it grows in forest on slopes and ridges.[2][3]

References
  1. "Caladenia quadrifaria". APNI. Retrieved 6 March 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. 41. ISBN 1877069124.
  3. Bernhardt, Peter. "Caladenia quadrifaria". Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney: plantnet. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  4. "Caladenia quadrifaria". APNI. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  5. Rogers, Richard (1927). "Contributions to the Orchidology of Australia". Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of South Australia. 51: 13. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  6. "Caladenia porphyrea". APNI. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  7. "Listing Advice Caladenia porphyrea (magenta orchid)" (PDF). Australian Government Department of the Environment. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
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