Caladenia polychroma

Caladenia vulgata, pendens, polychroma, postea
The filamentosa/wispy spider orchid group
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Some years ago, the name Caladenia filamentosa was applied to all the wispy spider orchids. As there were many variations, many of which formed stable populations, the species has been divided into many separate species, some of which are very similar in appearance. This makes identification quite difficult. Differences include flower size, flowering time, range of distribution, size of the labellum and colour. However, many species show large variations in colour, which further complicates identification. Therefore, there is a good chance that some of the species listed here are not identified correctly. Those I am not totally sure about are marked with an asterisk (*). Species in this group that are very readily identified such as Caladenia caesarea, I have put in separate pages.

Caladenia vulgata Common Spider Orchid*	Caladenia vulgata Common Spider Orchid*	Caladenia vulgata Common Spider Orchid*	Caladenia vulgata Common Spider Orchid*
Very similar in size, colour and range as Caladenia pendens, this is the most typical form of the 'filamentosa' group.
Caladenia polychroma Joseph Spider Orchid	Caladenia polychroma Joseph Spider Orchid	Caladenia polychroma Joseph Spider Orchid	Caladenia aff. polychroma Tenterden Yellow Spider Orchid
C. polychroma is a highly variable species with flowers ranging from pure white to streaked with red. These orchids will hybridise with C. cairnsiana to produce the C. ericksoniae named hybrid.
Caladenia postea Dark Tipped Spider Orchid	Caladenia postea Dark Tipped Spider Orchid	Caladenia vulgata Common Spider Orchid*	Caladenia polychroma Joseph Spider Orchid*
Caladenia postea has flowers up to 8cm long and is distinguished by its flowering period (late Oct-Nov) and dark tipped petals and sepals. Where it grows, most other similar caladenias have finished.		Caladenia pendens subsp talbotii has more pendulous petals and sepals and is often more colourful, with red streaks along the petals and sepals.
Caladenia pendens subsp talbotii Talbot's Spider Orchid	Caladenia pendens subsp talbotii Talbot's Spider Orchid	Caladenia pendens subsp talbotii Talbot's Spider Orchid	Caladenia pendens subsp talbotii Talbot's Spider Orchid
Caladenia pendens subsp talbotii Talbot's Spider Orchid	Caladenia pendens subsp talbotii Talbot's Spider Orchid
Caladenia hiemalis Dwarf Common Spider Orchid	Caladenia hiemalis Dwarf Common Spider Orchid	Caladenia hiemalis Dwarf Common Spider Orchid	Caladenia hiemalis Dwarf Common Spider Orchid
Caladenia hiemalis is distinguished by its small plants (10-20cm) and very early flowering period (early July-August)
Caladenia denticulata* Yellow Spider Orchid Red form	Caladenia denticulata* Yellow Spider Orchid	Caladenia denticulata* Yellow Spider Orchid Showing typical clumping habit	An unknown species, possibly Caladenia polychroma*
An unknown species, possibly Caladenia polychroma*	An unknown species, possibly Caladenia dimidia* Chameleon Orchid	An unknown species, possibly Caladenia vulgata*	An unknown species, possibly Caladenia polychroma*