Caladenia falcataCommon name: Green Spider Orchid
Meaning of name: Caladenia is from the Greek words calos, meaning beautiful, and aden meaning gland. Some species of Caladenia have coloured glands at the base of the column. The column is an organ combining the stamens and style of the flower. Falcata is from the Latin word falcatus meaning shaped like a scythe or sickle.
Distribution: Occurs in a variety of habitats throughout the western and southern Wheatbelt from Wongan Hills to Jerramungup.
Description: A single leaf to 20cm is produced beneath 1 – 2 flowers held up to 40cm above the ground.
References: Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings, a Glossary. FA Sharr. 1996.
Orchids of South-West Australia. Noel Hoffman & Andrew Brown. 1992.