Clown orchid
Caladenia roei in the Coalseam Conservation Park
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Caladenia
Species:
C. roei
Binomial name
Caladenia roei
Synonyms[1]
  • Calonema roei (Benth.) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.
  • Phlebochilus roei (Benth.) Szlach.
  • Calonemorchis roei (Benth.) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.
  • Jonesiopsis roei (Benth.) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.

Caladenia roei is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is also known as the common clown orchid,[2] clown orchid, ant orchid, man orchid and jack-in-the-box.[3][4] It has a single erect, hairy leaf and up to three greenish-yellow and red flowers with a relatively broad labellum. It is a common orchid throughout the south-west and is especially common on granite outcrops.

Description

Caladenia roei is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single erect, hairy leaf, 60–150 mm (2–6 in) long and about 5 mm (0.2 in) wide. Up to three greenish-yellow and red flowers 30–40 mm (1–2 in) long, 20–30 mm (0.8–1 in) wide are borne on a stalk 120–300 mm (5–10 in) tall. The sepals have thick, yellowish-brown, club-like glandular ends 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long. The dorsal sepal is erect, 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long, about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide and often curves gently forward. The lateral sepals and petals are about the same size as the dorsal sepal and turn obliquely downward and form a crucifix-like shape. The labellum is 8–11 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long, 13–16 mm (0.5–0.6 in) wide and greenish-yellow with a small red tip which curls under. The sides of the labellum are smooth, lacking teeth but there is a dense band of dark reddish-purple, calli up to 1.5 mm (0.06 in) long, in the middle of the labellum. Flowering occurs from August to October.[2][3][4]

Taxonomy and naming

Caladenia roei was first described in 1873 by Alex George and the description was published in Flora Australiensis.[1][5] The specific epithet (roei) honours John Septimus Roe.[3]

Distribution and habitat

The clown orchid is found across a wide area of the south-west of Western Australia from as far north as the Murchison River to as far east as Ravensthorpe where it grows in a range of habitats but is especially common on granite outcrops.[2][3][4][6]

Conservation

Caladenia roei is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Caladenia roei". APNI. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 116. ISBN 1877069124.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Brown, Andrew; Dundas, Pat; Dixon, Kingsley; Hopper, Stephen (2008). Orchids of Western Australia. Crawley, Western Australia: University of Western Australia Press. p. 133. ISBN 9780980296457.
  4. 1 2 3 Hoffman, Noel; Brown, Andrew (2011). Orchids of South-West Australia (3rd ed.). Gooseberry Hill: Noel Hoffman. p. 167. ISBN 9780646562322.
  5. ↑ Bentham, George (1873). Flora Australiensis. London: Lovell Reeve & Co. p. 383. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  6. 1 2 "Caladenia roei". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
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