Caladenia roei is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is also known as the common clown orchid, clown orchid, ant orchid, man orchid and jack-in-the-box. 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.
Caladenia roei is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single erect, hairy leaf, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and about 5sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. Up to three greenish-yellow and red flowers NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide are borne on a stalk NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 tall. The sepals have thick, yellowish-brown, club-like glandular ends NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long. The dorsal sepal is erect, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, about 2sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 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 NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 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 1.5sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, in the middle of the labellum. Flowering occurs from August to October.[1] [2] [3]
Caladenia roei was first described in 1873 by Alex George and the description was published in Flora Australiensis.[4] [5] The specific epithet (roei) honours John Septimus Roe.
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.
Caladenia roei is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.