Scientific Name: Caladenia congesta
Common Name: blacktongue finger-orchid
Family Classification (Clade): Monocots
Family: Orchidaceae
Threatened Species Status: Endangered
Permit: It is an offence to collect, disturb, damage or destroy this species unless under permit.
Form Description: Slender, slightly hairy cap orchid with erect flowering stem; very narrow leaf, shorter than stem.
Height (m): 0.2 – 0.6
Flowers: 1-3 bright deep pink or pale reddish-purple, 3cm diameter, narrow sepals and petals. Protruding labellum. 2 broad rows of black shiny calli in a congested mass.
Fruit: Papery capsule
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Widely spread, localised sites on coastal sandy heathland to open sub-alpine bushland in Tasmania’s east and north.
Site Tolerance
Dry, Moist, Shady, Waterlogged
Soil Tolerance
Loam, Sandy, Well-drained
Frost Tolerance
Tender
General Notes
Fire frequency moderate to high. Flowers may last up to 10 weeks if not pollinated.
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.