Scientific Name: Caladenia atrochila Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region
Common Name: darkheart fingers
Family Classification (Clade): Monocots
Family: Orchidaceae
Form Description: Leaf erect, narrowly linear, sparsely hairy.
Height (m): 0.06 – 0.16
Flowers: Flowers 1-2, short lived, white or pinkish internally, yellowish green externally, labellum mid-lobe and lateral lobes cream with deep crimson coalescing bars, apex of mid-lobe yellowish, calli yellow with dark red stalks, column green with crimson bars and suffusions.
Fruit: Papery capsule
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Eucalyptus obliqua woodland with heathy and scrubby understorey dominated by Leptospermum species and Bauera rubioides and in tall open Eucalyptus obliqua forest.
Site Tolerance
Exposed, Moist, Shady
Soil Tolerance
Clay, Loam, Poorly-drained, Sandy
Frost Tolerance
Tender
General Notes
The flowers open for only a few days before self pollinating. 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.