Caladenia ampla explained

Caladenia ampla, commonly known as the dainty spider orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to Victoria. It is a ground orchid with a single hairy leaf and a single flower which is sometimes yellowish-green flower with red stripes and sometimes entirely red.

Description

Caladenia ampla is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single hairy leaf, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide.^[1]

A single flower (rarely two) is borne on a spike up to 22sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 high. The dorsal sepal is erect, oblong to lance-shaped, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and about 3sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. It tapers near the end which terminates in a glandular structure NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long. The lateral sepals are oblong to lance-shaped, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide and end in a gland similar to the one on the dorsal sepal. The petals are NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide and taper to a point. The labellum is a broad egg-shape, curves forward, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide when flattened. The labellum is cream-coloured with red veins and a dark red tip, sometimes entirely red. There are 9 to 12 pairs of calli along the edge of the labellum, decreasing in length towards its front. There are four rows of foot-shaped calli in the centre of the labellum, also smaller towards the tip. Flowering occurs in September and October.

Taxonomy and naming

The species was first formally described by David L. Jones in 2006 and given the name Arachnorchis ampla.^{[2] [3]} The description was published in Australian Orchid Research. In 2007, Gary Backhouse changed the name to Caladenia ampla and the change was published in "The Victorian Naturalist".^[4] The specific epithet (ampla) is a Latin word meaning "large",^[5] referring to the unusually broad labellum of this orchid.

Distribution and habitat

Caladenia ampla is only known from the goldfields region of Victoria where it grows in mallee scrub and woodlands.

Conservation

This species is classified as "Endangered" by the Victorian government.^[6]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Jeanes. Jeffrey. Caladenia ampla. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria: Vicflora. 28 September 2016.
2. Web site: Arachnorchis ampla. APNI. 28 September 2016.
3. Jones. David L.. New taxa of Australian Orchidaceae. Australian Orchid Research. 2006. 5. 50–51.
4. Web site: Caladenia ampla. APNI. 28 September 2016.
5. Book: Roland W. Brown. Brown. Roland Wilbur. The Composition of Scientific Words. 1956. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, D.C.. 86.
6. Web site: Advisory list of rare and threatened plants in Victoria 2014. The State of Victoria Department of Environment and Primary Industries. 28 September 2016.