Wildflowers of Western Australia

Blue China Orchid
Cyanicula gemmata

Winter Spider Orchid
Caladenia drummondii

Fire Orchids
Pyrorchis nigricans

Nigricans is one of the many species of orchids which produce fleshy underground tubers and were much sought after by Aborigines as food.
Favoured were the tuberous sun orchids (Thelymitra), greenhoods (Pterostylis) and leek orchids (Prasophylum).

Little Laughing Leek Orchids
Prasophyllum gracile

Dragon Orchid
Caladenia barbarossa

Blue Lady
*Incoming pollen for the stigma.

Orchids have evolved to attract, deceive, mimic and manipulate insects in order to maximize the possibility of fertilization. Many don't offer a food reward.

Clubbed Spider Orchids
Caladenia longiclavata

Curled-tongue Shell Orchid
Pterostylis rogersii

Little Pink Fairy
Caladenia reptans

An orchid is never truly alone. Beneath the flower lies another world—an intimate alliance with fungi, insects and soil, without which many orchids could never exist. What we see above the ground is only the visible expression of a far deeper and more mysterious partnership.

Slender Sun Orchid
Thelymitra vulgaris

Beard Orchid
Calochilus stramenicola

Frog Greenhood
Pterostylis sargentii

Helmet Orchids
Corybas recurvus

Helmet Orchids
Corybas recurvus