About Caladenia septuosa D.L.Jones
Caladenia septuosa is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous herb that grows from an underground tuber. It produces a single erect, sparsely hairy dull green leaf, measuring 60–80 mm (2–3 in) long and 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide. Usually only one greenish-cream flower, 25–35 mm (0.98–1.4 in) across, is borne on a 150–200 mm (6–8 in) tall flowering spike. Only the sepals, not the petals, have brown, club-shaped glandular tips that are 5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long. The dorsal sepal is 25–40 mm (1–2 in) long, 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide, and curves forward. The lateral sepals are 25–40 mm (1–2 in) long and 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) wide; they spread apart and curve downwards. The petals are 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) long, about 3 mm (0.1 in) wide, and arranged in the same orientation as the lateral sepals. The labellum is 14–16 mm (0.55–0.63 in) long and wide, and is green and white with a dark red tip. The sides of the labellum curve upwards, and bear three or four pairs of thin green teeth up to 3 mm (0.1 in) long, while the labellum tip curves downwards. Four or six rows of dark red calli, up to 1.5 mm (0.06 in) long, run along the mid-line of the labellum. Flowering takes place from September to October. Commonly called the Koppio spider orchid, this species is endemic to the Eyre Peninsula, where it grows in woodland habitat.
