Caladenia splendensCommon name: Splendid 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. Splendens is from the Latin word splendidus, meaning splendid.
Distribution: Found in winter-wet areas from just north of Perth to near Albany.
Description: Single leaf to 30cm. This plant has up to 4 flowers held on a stalk up to 80cm tall during September and October.
References: Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings, a Glossary. FA Sharr. 1996.
Orchids of South-West Australia. Noel Hoffman & Andrew Brown. 1992.
The back of the flower shows the maroon stripes that are a feature of this species.
