Caladenia latifolia
pink fairies
Overview
Caladenia latifolia is a terrestrial orchid that grows from an underground tuber and produces a single erect leaf with a slender flowering stem 10-40 cm (4-16 in) tall. The basal leaf is narrowly oblong, 4-15 cm (1.6-6 in) long, hairy, and held more or less upright. Each stem carries one to four pink flowers 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2 in) across, with spreading sepals and petals and a central labellum marked with rows of small teeth. The plant spreads by daughter tubers and often forms colonies of many stems across sandy ground. Growth begins with autumn rains, flowering follows in late winter and spring, and the plant dies back to its dormant tuber over the dry summer. It grows in coastal heath, dunes, and open woodland on free-draining sandy soils. Flowers rely on native bees for pollination and set dust-like seed in dry capsules. The species is slow to establish from seed and depends on soil fungi for germination, which makes it hard to cultivate away from its natural habitat. Soil disturbance and loss of the fungal partner are the main limits to growing it in gardens.
Native Range
Native to southern Australia, from Western Australia across South Australia to Victoria, Tasmania, and southern New South Wales. It grows in coastal heath, dunes, and open forest on sandy soils.Suggested Uses
Grown in native and orchid collections and in restoration of coastal heath and sandy woodland. Suited to specialist terrestrial-orchid pots and undisturbed native garden beds. Colonies add spring colour to open sandy ground.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'4"
Width/Spread2" - 4"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage 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