Scientific Name: Caladenia dilatata

Common Name: greencomb spider-orchid

Family Classification (Clade): Monocots

Family: Orchidaceae

Form Description: Leaf lanceolate, base red purple, densely hairy.

Height (m): 0.2 – 0.45

Flowers: 1-2 flowers, 30mm across, yellowish-green with reddish stripes. Labellum has unusually large side lobes with long green comb-like teeth.

Fruit: Papery capsule

Municipality
Break O’DayBurnieCentral HighlandsClarenceDorsetFlindersGeorge TownGlamorgan-Spring BayHobartHuon ValleyKing IslandKingboroughLatrobeLauncestonMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsSorellSouthern MidlandsTasmanWest Tamar
Plant Communities
Coastal VegetationHeath
Habitat Notes

Heathy open forest, coastal shrub, heathland, teatree scrub.

Site Tolerance

Dry, Exposed

Soil Tolerance

Clay, Loam, Sandy, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Tender

General Notes

Widespread and locally common in east, north-west and Bass Strait Islands. The only green and red green-combed spider orchid found in Tasmania.

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
Specialist 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.