Wildflowers Home > All Wildflowers > Orchidaceae > Caladenia > barbarossa

Dragon Orchid

Family: Orchidaceae

Genus: Caladenia

Species: barbarossa

Main Flower Colour: Red

Description

A small terrestrial orchid, growing to about 25cm high. Petals and sepals are green with a maroon stripe. Labellum covered with maroon hairs. The labellum of the Dragon Orchid seems to resemble a female Thynnid Wasp and it also excretes the scent of this wasp. The male wasp becomes stuck on the hairs of the labellum and can only escape by moving towards the column and in doing so becomes a pollinator. Favours damp areas.
Previously named Drakonorchis barbarossa

Flowering start in September and ends in November.

Identification

The main flower colour is red. Small size, striped floral parts and hairy labellum.

References

http://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/1577
http://www.waratahsoftware.com.au/wp_flora_orchids_wa.html

Created: 24 Apr 2014 - Member - John and Val

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Location

Bio Regions

Esperance Plains (ESP)

Region Specifics

Cape Riche, WA

Related Blogs

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