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Caladenia flava
cowslip orchid
Overview
Caladenia flava, the cowslip orchid, is a tuberous terrestrial orchid in the family Orchidaceae endemic to south-western Western Australia. From an underground tuber it sends up a single narrow, hairy leaf 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) long and a slender flowering stem 4-16 inches (10-40 cm) tall in late winter and spring. The stem bears one to three flowers about 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) across, clear yellow and often marked with red blotches or stripes on the central column and petal bases. After flowering and seed release the plant dies back to the tuber and rests through the dry summer. It grows in a wide range of habitats, from coastal heath and granite outcrops to jarrah and wandoo woodland, on sandy and gravelly soils. Like other terrestrial orchids it depends on soil fungi to germinate and establish, which makes it slow to transplant and reliant on undisturbed ground. Fire often triggers heavier flowering the following spring.
Native Range
Caladenia flava is endemic to south-western Western Australia, from the coast inland through the wheatbelt. It grows in coastal heath, granite outcrops, and eucalypt woodland on sandy, gravelly, or loamy soils, often in large colonies.Suggested Uses
Grown by terrestrial orchid specialists in deep pots and in native bushland restoration on undisturbed sandy soils. Suited to dryland and wildflower collections that mimic a wet-winter, dry-summer cycle. Not used in general borders because of its fungal soil needs.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'4"
Width/Spread2" - 4"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
yellow, often with red markingsFoliage Description
green, hairyGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 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
Grows in full sun to light shade on freely draining sandy or gravelly soils that stay moist through the cool winter growing season and dry out in summer. Winter and spring rainfall supports the leaf and flowers, after which the plant rests as a dormant tuber and needs no summer water. Establishment depends on native soil fungi, so the orchid resists transplanting and grows poorly in disturbed or fertilised ground. Sharp drainage prevents tuber rot during dormancy. In cultivation it is kept in deep pots of sandy mix and allowed to dry off completely in summer. Cool winter temperatures and bright light sustain healthy growth.Pruning
No pruning is required, as the single leaf and flower stem die back naturally to the tuber each summer. Spent flower stems can be removed once seed has shed if self-seeding is not wanted. Old leaf remains pull away cleanly as the plant enters dormancy.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons