Scientific Name: Caladenia tonellii Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region

Common Name: robust fingers

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: Tall, robust finger orchid. Leaf narrowly linear, dark green, base reddish purple. Scape relatively thick, sparsely hairy.

Height (m): 0.25 – 0.35

Flowers: Flowers 1-3, bright pink internally, brownish pink externally, labellum white to pink with reddish bars, apex yellowish to orange, calli yellow, column green with broad red bars.

Fruit: Papery capsule

Municipality
DorsetLatrobeWaratah-Wynyard
Plant Communities
Dry Eucalypt Forest
Habitat Notes

Eucalyptus amygdalina forest with a shrubby understorey.

Site Tolerance

Dry, Exposed, Moist, Shady

Soil Tolerance

Clay, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Sandy, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

General Notes

Distribution is likely to be very restricted because of conversion of its habitat to forestry plantations.

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.