Southern Spider-orchid (Arachnorchis australis - formerly Caladenia australis)

Flowers in Spring (Sept - Nov) - favours woodland with rather dense, heathy under-story.

Rather uncommon.  Difficult to find because of its growing habitat.  The photo ruler indicates the height of this particular plant - a total of 10.5 inches (27cm).  The petals and sepals are often red streaked.

Pollination of the Arachnorchis species has been studied very little but it is thought that spider orchids are generally pollinated by pseudocopulation (male thynnid wasp).

Eastern Spider-orchid (Arachnorchis orientalis - formerly Caladenia orientalis)

Flowers in Spring (Aug - Oct) - favours coastal heathland and heathy woodland on sandy soils.  This is most likely the subsp. orientalis due to the location.

The greenish yellow flowers are unique to this coastal spider orchid.  The photo ruler indicates the height of this particular plant - a total of 9 inches (23cm).  The sepals and petals are often directed down.

Pollination of the Arachnorchis species has been studied very little but it is thought that spider orchids are generally pollinated by pseudocopulation (male thynnid wasp).