About Caladenia pectinata R.S.Rogers
Caladenia pectinata is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous herb that grows from an underground tuber. It produces a single erect, hairy leaf, which measures 150–300 mm (6–10 in) long and 10–20 mm (0.4–0.8 in) wide. Up to three multicolored flowers grow on a stalk 350–700 mm (10–30 in) tall; the flowers themselves are 60–100 mm (2–4 in) long and 60–70 mm (2–3 in) wide, and are colored red, yellow, and pale green. The sepals of this orchid have thick, brown, club-shaped glandular tips that are 10–35 mm (0.4–1 in) long. The dorsal sepal is erect, measuring 40–70 mm (2–3 in) long and 2–5 mm (0.08–0.2 in) wide. The lateral sepals are 40–70 mm (2–3 in) long and 6–9 mm (0.2–0.4 in) wide, and curve downwards. The petals are 35–45 mm (1–2 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide; they sometimes spread, and otherwise turn upwards. The labellum is 18–25 mm (0.7–1 in) long and 12–18 mm (0.5–0.7 in) wide, creamy-yellow in color with a down-curved dark red tip. The sides of the labellum bear linear teeth up to 8 mm (0.3 in) long, and there are four or six rows of dark red calli along the labellum's midline. Flowering occurs from late September to October. This species, commonly called the king spider orchid, is widespread between Cataby and Munglinup in Western Australia, occurring in the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Swan Coastal Plain, and Warren biogeographic regions. It is most abundant in the area between Bremer Bay and Rocky Gully.
