About Caladenia cairnsiana F.Muell.
Caladenia cairnsiana is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous herb that grows from an underground tuber. It usually occurs in scattered groups, though it sometimes forms clumps of more than ten individual plants. It produces a single hairy leaf, 6 to 20 millimetres (0.2 to 0.8 inches) long and approximately 6 millimetres (0.2 inches) wide. One or two flowers grow at the top of a 15 to 30 centimetre (6 to 10 inch) tall stalk. Each flower is 20 to 30 millimetres (0.8 to 1 inch) long and around 10 millimetres (0.4 inches) wide. Flowers are greenish-yellow with red markings. The lateral sepals and petals hang down against the ovary. The labellum angles upwards, is marked with red stripes, has a smooth edge, and ends in a glandular tip. A band of deep purple-red calli runs through the centre of the labellum. Flowering takes place between August and early November, after which a non-fleshy, dehiscent capsule forms that holds many seeds. This species, commonly called the zebra orchid, is widespread and common. It occurs between Esperance and Lancelin in Western Australia’s Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Swan Coastal Plain and Warren biogeographic regions. It grows in sand, laterite, or loam, in forest, woodland, and heath habitats.
