Caladenia roei is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is also known as the common clown orchid,[2] clown orchid, ant orchid, man orchid and jack-in-the-box.[3][4] 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.
| Clown orchid | |
|---|---|
| |
| Caladenia roei in the Coalseam Conservation Park | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Genus: | Caladenia |
| Species: | C. roei
|
| Binomial name | |
| Caladenia roei | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Description edit
Caladenia roei is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single erect, hairy leaf, 60–150 mm (2–6 in) long and about 5 mm (0.2 in) wide. Up to three greenish-yellow and red flowers 30–40 mm (1–2 in) long, 20–30 mm (0.8–1 in) wide are borne on a stalk 120–300 mm (5–10 in) tall. The sepals have thick, yellowish-brown, club-like glandular ends 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long. The dorsal sepal is erect, 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long, about 2 mm (0.08 in) 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 8–11 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long, 13–16 mm (0.5–0.6 in) 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 1.5 mm (0.06 in) long, in the middle of the labellum. Flowering occurs from August to October.[2][3][4]
Taxonomy and naming edit
Caladenia roei was first described in 1873 by Alex George and the description was published in Flora Australiensis.[1][5] The specific epithet (roei) honours John Septimus Roe.[3]
Distribution and habitat edit
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.[2][3][4][6]
Conservation edit
Caladenia roei is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.[6]
References edit
- ^ a b c "Caladenia roei". APNI. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
- ^ a b c Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 116. ISBN 1877069124.
- ^ a b c d Brown, Andrew; Dundas, Pat; Dixon, Kingsley; Hopper, Stephen (2008). Orchids of Western Australia. Crawley, Western Australia: University of Western Australia Press. p. 133. ISBN 9780980296457.
- ^ a b c Hoffman, Noel; Brown, Andrew (2011). Orchids of South-West Australia (3rd ed.). Gooseberry Hill: Noel Hoffman. p. 167. ISBN 9780646562322.
- ^ Bentham, George (1873). Flora Australiensis. London: Lovell Reeve & Co. p. 383. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
- ^ a b "Caladenia roei". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.