Caladenia cardiochila
thick-lipped spider-orchid
Southeastern Australia (Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales)
Overview
Caladenia cardiochila is a terrestrial, tuberous orchid of southeastern Australia, growing each year from an underground tuber. A single narrow, hairy leaf 2-5 inches (5-12 cm) long emerges in autumn, followed in spring by a slender flower stem 4-10 inches (10-25 cm) tall bearing usually one flower. The flower is greenish-yellow to cream with red or maroon markings, with narrow spreading sepals and petals and a broad, heart-shaped labellum that is the source of the common name. The thickened labellum carries dark, gland-tipped calli and a deep maroon tip. After flowering, the plant sets seed and dies back to the tuber, resting underground through the dry summer. It grows in open forest, woodland, and mallee on well-drained sandy or loamy soils, and like most spider-orchids it depends on specific soil fungi to germinate and on native insects for pollination. These requirements make it difficult to cultivate outside specialist terrestrial-orchid collections. The species is uncommon and localised, and several populations are of conservation concern.
Native Range
Caladenia cardiochila is native to southeastern Australia, occurring in Victoria, South Australia, and southern New South Wales. It grows in open forest, woodland, and mallee on well-drained sandy and loamy soils.Suggested Uses
Grown only in specialist terrestrial-orchid collections and conservation programs, not in general garden beds. Its dependence on soil fungi and a strict wet-winter, dry-summer cycle make routine cultivation difficult. In the wild it is a component of native woodland and mallee ground flora.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 10"
Width/Spread2" - 4"
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in spring, mainly September and October in its native range. A single greenish-yellow flower with red markings opens on each slender stem. The plant then sets seed and dies back to its underground tuber for the dry summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
greenish-yellow with red markingsFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Caladenia cardiochila is a terrestrial orchid that grows from a tuber in well-drained sandy or loamy soil in dappled light to part sun. It needs a moist, cool growing season through autumn, winter, and spring, followed by a warm, dry summer dormancy. Like other spider-orchids, it relies on symbiotic soil fungi, so it does not transplant or grow from division in the way garden perennials do. Specialist growers raise it in deep pots of native soil mix with controlled watering. It is rarely grown in general gardens and is better observed in its natural habitat.Pruning
No pruning is required. The single leaf and flower stem die back naturally to the tuber after seed sets. The dormant tuber is left undisturbed through summer.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons