Caladenia sp. Kilsyth South explained

Caladenia sp. Kilsyth South, also known as the Kilsyth South spider-orchid, is an extremely rare ground orchid endemic to Kilsyth South, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The flower was discovered in 1991^[1] and described by the local ecologist Dr. Graeme Lorimer.^[2] The plant is described as "a terrestrial orchid growing to 35 cm tall, with one to two large creamy white flowers". The tepals grow to 70 mm long, giving it its spider-like appearance, and have reddish-brown glandular tips. The labellum (lip) of the flower has reddish calli and teeth. Only 23 plants were ever observed,^[3] while the population has currently decreased to only one adult flowering plant.^{[2] [4]} Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria has undertaken symbiotic germination of the orchid's seeds for conservation purposes in its laboratories.^[4]

External links

• Photographs of the Kilsyth South Orchid by Paul Piko
• Photograph by Dr. Lorimer

Notes and References

1. Web site: Bungalook Conservation Reserve. 7 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130513135809/http://www.maroondah.vic.gov.au/Bungalook.aspx. 13 May 2013. dead.
2. Bruce Rosser, Kate. Scarce Kilsyth South flower found again. Maroondah Leader. 27 August 2010. 7 October 2013. https://archive.today/20131008010737/http://maroondah-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/scarce-kilsyth-south-flower-found-again. 2013-10-08. dead.
3. Web site: Kilsyth South Spider-orchid Caladenia sp. aff. venusta. Department of Sustainablity and Environment. 2013-10-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20140228110722/http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/103294/191_kilsyth_South_spider_orchid_2003.pdf. 2014-02-28. dead.
4. Web site: Kilsyth South orchid gets a rare chance to survive. Maroondah leader. 2013-10-07. https://archive.today/20131008010611/http://maroondah-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/kilsyth-south-orchid-s-rare-chance/. 2013-10-08. dead.