Scientific Name: Caladenia atrata Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region
Common Name: dark finger-orchid
Family Classification (Clade): Monocots
Family: Orchidaceae
Form Description: Leaf erect and linear, sparsely hairy.
Height (m): 0.12 – 0.2
Flowers: Intensely white flowers with exterior covered with black to reddish black glands. Strongly hooded dorsal sepal. Lemon scented.
Fruit: Papery capsule
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Open eucalypt forest and woodland, heathy understorey, sunny slopes.
Site Tolerance
Dry, Exposed, Moist
Soil Tolerance
Clay, Loam, Sandy, Well-drained
Frost Tolerance
Moderate
General Notes
Flowers open for only a few days. Responds well to fire and disturbance.
Propagation Calendar
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Flowering Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Seed Collecting Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Sowing Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Cutting Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed Information
Seed Treatment Notes
Orchid seeds are very minute yellow, brown or blackish dust-like particles. Orchid seeds are produced within a capsule that splits at maturity and releases thousands to millions of seeds. Dispersed by wind and water and only germinate following infection of the embryo by a suitable mycorrhizal fungus. Very few seeds become mature plants. For more information see Jones, Wapstra, Tonelli, Harris (1999): The Orchids of Tasmania.