Scientific Name: Caladenia dienema Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region
Common Name: windswept spider-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: A shorter sturdy spider orchid.
Height (m): 0.05 – 0.16
Flowers: 1-2 flowers, 70-110mm across, cream with darker red lines and black caudae on all the segments; labellum wholly maroon or white to cream with a maroon apex, fringed; calli dark reddish purple; column translucent with reddish markings.
Fruit: Papery capsule
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Windswept low heathland among dwarfed shrubs and sedges.
Site Tolerance
Exposed, Moist, Windy
Soil Tolerance
Clay, Loam, Sandy, Well-drained
Frost Tolerance
Tender
General Notes
Habitat has been reduced due to agricultural development, with the remainder subject to grazing.
Propagation Calendar
-
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.