Splendid spider orchid

Appearance

"Caladenia splendens" is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single erect, hairy leaf, 150–300 mm long and 8–15 mm wide. Up to three mostly white flowers 220–280 mm long and 100–220 mm wide are borne on a stalk 300–800 mm tall. The sepals and petals have long, brownish thread-like tips and often have red lines on their backs. The dorsal sepal is erect, 95–165 mm long and 3–11 mm wide. The lateral sepals are 105–180 mm long and 8–11 mm wide, spread apart and curve downwards. The petals are 85–135 mm long and 4–6 mm wide and arranged like the lateral sepals. The labellum is 30–35 mm long, 15–22 mm wide and white to cream-coloured with narrow red teeth up to 14 mm long on the sides. The tip of the labellum is curled under and there are four rows of white and red calli up to 3 mm long, along the mid-line of the labellum. Flowering occurs from September to October.

Naming

"Caladenia splendens" was first formally described in 2001 by Stephen Hopper and Andrew Phillip Brown from a specimen collected near Gingin and the description was published in "Nuytsia". The specific epithet is a Latin word meaning "splendid" or "resplendent" referring to the "brilliant white" colour of this orchid.

Distribution

The splendid spider orchid is found between Gingin and Frankland in the Avon Wheatbelt, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest and Swan Coastal Plain biogeographic regions where it grows in woodland and forest in moist gullies and other places where water is available in winter.

Status

"Caladenia splendens" is classified as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife.