Caladenia robinsonii
| Frankston spider orchid | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Genus: | Caladenia |
| Species: | C. robinsonii |
| Binomial name | |
| Caladenia robinsonii G.W.Carr[1] | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Arachnorchis robinsonii (G.W.Carr) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. | |
Caladenia robinsonii, commonly known as the Frankston spider orchid is a rare species of orchid which is endemic to Victoria, Australia. A shoot arises from the tuber each year in the early autumn producing a solitary leaf in May. In September to October a single (or rarely two) red and creamy yellow flower is produced on a hairy stem up to 30 cm high The flower is up to 4cm in width and has narrow sepals, four of which spread out horizontally plus an erect dorsal sepal.[2]
The flowers exude a scent that mimics pheromones of the female Thynnid wasp, which attracts male wasps that pollinate the flowers.[3] The orchid has a symbiotic relationship with a mycorrhizal fungus that enables it to absorb nutrients.[3]
It occurs in Coast Manna Gum woodland, on the Mornington Peninsula and was first formally described by G.W. Carr in 1991 from material collected in Frankston North.[1] This population was lost when the locality was developed in the 1990s for housing. However a second population was discovered at Rosebud in 1990.[3] Potential threats to the latter population, estimated to be around 40 plants, include weed invasion, tramping, fire and grazing by rabbits.[2] In 2010, 150 of the orchids were planted in rehabilitated areas by volunteers, utilising seed that had been propagated by the Royal Botanic Gardens.[4]
References
- 1 2 "Caladenia robinsonii". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
- 1 2 Duncan, Mike, Andrew Pritchard and James Todd (February 2010). "National Recovery Plan for Twelve Threatened Spider-orchids (Caladenia R. Br.) in South-eastern Australia (Draft)". Retrieved 2010-07-23.
- 1 2 3 Backhouse,Gary, Hugh Bramwells, Ron Musker, Gidja Walker & Karen Lester (1999). "Frankston Spider Orchid (Caladenia robinsonii G.W.Carr) Recovery Plan 1999-2003". Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Retrieved 2010-07-23.
- ↑ Smith, Bridie (21 July 2010). "Victorian plan aids orchids in danger". The Age (Melbourne). Retrieved 2010-07-21.