Wildflowers of Western Australia

Biological Nomenclature of Orchids

Clues to one of Natures Great Treasure Hunts

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"The correct botanical names of most West Australian orchids are euphonious, and not too difficult for even children to learn. Once the meanings are understood and the described characteristics have been observed in the growing plants, the terrors of the names vanish, and their usage becomes a matter of course.

Classification of West Australian orchids, so far as genus is concerned, is not usually difficult.

With the aid of this book (or website) it should not be beyond the power of any person or child of reasonable age, sufficiently interested, to learn to run out both genus and species of any West Australian orchid for themselves."
West Australian Orchids by EMILY H. PELLOE - 1930

Genus

Genus		The Vocabulary of Orchids - Genus	Common Name
Anzybas	AN-zee-bas	Australia, New Zealand + Corybus, a closely allied genus	Helmet Orchids	helmet shaped flower
Caladenia	kal-uh-DEE-nee-uh	kalos, beautiful + aden, gland - calli on lip.	Fairy Orchids Spider Orchids	small and enchanting spider like shape
Calochilus	kal-oh-KY-lus	kalos, beautiful + cheilos, a lip - the fringed labellum.	Beard Orchids	bearded labellum
Corunastylis	koh-run-a-STY-liss	*koryne,* club + *stylis,* - the column	Pygmy Orchid	one of the smallest orchids
Corysanthes	ko-ree-SAN-thees	korys: helmet; cap + *anthos*, flower	Helmet Orchids	helmet shaped flower
Cryptostylis	krip-toh-STY-lis	cryptos, concealed, + stylos, a column.	Slipper Orchid	slipper shaped flowers
Cyanicula	sy-an-IK-yoo-la	*cyanos,* blue + icula, small - the flower	Blue Orchids	blue colouring of the flower
Cyrtostylis	sir-toh-STY-lisc	kyrtos, curved, + stylos, a column	Mosquito Orchids	flowers resemble (and attract) small insects
Diuris	dy-YOOR-is	dis, double + oura, a tail - ref. the lateral sepals	Donkey Orchids	petals look like donkey ears
Drakaea	DRAY-kee-uh	Miss Sarah Anne Drake (1803-1857), prolific botanical illustrator	Hammer Orchids	lip is shaped like and swings like a hammer
Elythranthera	eli-THRAN-ther-uh	elytron, cover + anthera, anther - ref. column wings	Enamel Orchids	shiny glossy tepals
Epiblema	epi-BLEM-uh	epiblema, Greek: shawl covering - covered anther	Babe-in-a-cradle	looks like baby kicking its blanket off
Ericksonella	erickson-ella	Rica Erickson (1908-2009), author, botanical artist, naturalist.	Sugar Orchid	glistening white flowers
Eriochilus	air-ee-oh-KY-lus	erion, wool + cheilos, lip - labellum surface	Bunny Orchids	sepals like rabbit ears and lip furry
Gastrodia	gas-TRO-dee-uh	gastrodes, belly - the pot-bellied flower shape	Potato Orchid	large tubers utilised as food by Aborigines
Leporella	lep-or-ELL-uh	leporis, hare + ella, small - flower shape	Hare Orchid	paired petals look a bit like hare ears
Leptoceras	lep-TOS-er-us	leptos, slender + ceras, horn - shape of the petals	Rabbit Orchid	clubbed petals upright like rabbit ears
Lyperanthus	ly-per-AN-thus	lypros, poor + anthos, flower - dull coloured flowers	Beak Orchids	beak-like hood formed by the dorsal sepal
Microtis	my-KRO-tis	mikros, small + otus, ear - ear-like column wings	Mignonette Orchids	resembles the Mediterranean wild mignonette
Paracaleana	para-kay-lee-an-uh	para, beside + Caleana - close relationship with genus Caleana	Duck Orchids	duck shaped flower
Pheladenia	fel-uh-DEE-nee-a	*phelos,* false + aden, gland - distinct labellum calli	Blue Beard	blue orchid with beard-like labellum
Praecoxanthus	pray-kox-AN-thus	*praecox,* early + anthos, flower - flowering time	Leafless Orchid	leafless when flowering
Prasophyllum	praz-o-FY-lum	prasos, a leek + phyilos, a leaf - leek-like leaves	Leek Orchids	leek-like leaves
Pterostylis	ter-oh-STY-liss	pteros, a wing + stylos, a style - winged column	Greenhoods	colour and shape of the flower
Pyrorchis	py-ROR-kis	pyr, fire + orchis, orchid - post fire flowering	Fire Orchids	fire shaped and flame coloured flowers
Rhizanthella	ry-zan-THEL-uh	*rhiza,* root + anthos, flower - flower emanates from the roots	Underground Orchid	only orchid genus to flower underground
Spiculaea	spik-yoo-LAY-uh	spicula, spiked - column wings	Elbow Orchid	elbow-like bending of the lip on a hinge
Thelymitra	thel-ee-MY-tra	thelys, female + mitra, a cap - hooded column	Sun Orchids	flower opens in warm sunshine

Caladenia

Calochilus

Corunastylis

Corysanthes

Cryptostylis

Cyanicula

Cyrtostylis

Diuris

Drakaea

Elythranthera

Epiblema

Ericksonella

Eriochilus

Gastrodia

Leporella

Leptoceras

Lyperanthus

Microtis

Paracaleana

Pheladenia

Praecoxanthus

Prasophyllum

Pterostylis

Pyrorchis

Rhizanthella

Spiculaea

Thelymitra

Species

(Not included: about 25 unnamed species)

To see the photo of the flower click on the species name. (if available)

	Autumn			Winter			Spring			Summer
best month	mar	apr	may	jun	jul	aug	sep	oct	nov	dec	jan	feb
432 species	0	11	4	9	24	101	149	92	24	18	0	0

Key to sub-grouping - (mouse-over or touch) Caladenia Pterostylis Thelymitra

Click on the column headers to sort the column by group, date or alphabetically. (Click again to reverse)

(last updated November 2022)

Genus	species	Common Name	sub group	date + maps	The Vocabulary of Orchids - Species
Anzybas	abditus	Small Helmet Orchid		10 oct	hidden, concealed - refers to both its scarcity and the dense habitat
Caladenia	abbreviata ab-bree-vee-AH-tuh	Coastal Spider Orchid	c wispy	11 nov	shortened - tepals
Caladenia	ambusta 'Boranup'	Boranup Spider Orchid	c white	11 nov	burned - profuse flowering only in the season following summer wildfire. (Orig.col., Greg Bussel, 2000)
Caladenia	applanata ssp. applanata	Broad-lipped Spider Orchid	c white	10 oct	flattened - labellum
Caladenia	applanata ssp. erubescens	Rose Spider Orchid	c white	09 sep	erubescens: blushing; rosy - flower
Caladenia	arenicola	Carousel Spider Orchid	club sep	08 aug	sand + dweller - habitat
Caladenia	arrecta	Reaching Spider Orchid	club tep	08 aug	set upright - petals
Caladenia	attingens ssp. attingens	Forest Mantis Orchid	c green	10 oct	reaching, attaining - extended calli
Caladenia	attingens ssp. effusa 'granite'	Granite Mantis Orchid	c green	09 sep	effusus: loose, spreading - lateral sepals
Caladenia	attingens ssp. gracillima	Small Mantis Orchid	c green	09 sep	gracillima: slender - flower
Caladenia	barbarella	Small Dragon Orchid	c dragon	08 aug	beard + small - flower. (Orig.col., Alex George, 1969.)
Caladenia	barbarossa	Dragon Orchid	c dragon	10 oct	beard + red - labellum
Caladenia	bicalliata ssp. bicalliata	Limestone Spider Orchid	c wispy	09 sep	two + calli - two rows of labellum calli
Caladenia	bicalliata ssp. cleistogama	Sandhill Spider Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	cleistogama: closed - fertilised within the unopened flower
Caladenia	bigeminata 'Yerina Springs'	Yerina Springs Spider Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	two + paired - two longitudinal rows of paired calli.
Caladenia	brevisura brev-ee-shor-uh	Short-sepalled Spider Orchid	crested	09 sep	short sepals
Caladenia	brownii	Karri Spider Orchid	club sep	10 oct	Andrew Brown (1951-), orchidologist, orchid expert and author.
Caladenia	bryceana ssp. bryceana bry-see-ah-nah	Dwarf Spider Orchid	crested	08 aug	Francis Bryce Maclntyre, orig.col., found near Gnowangerup in 1914.
Caladenia	bryceana ssp. cracens	Northern Dwarf Spider Orchid	crested	08 aug	cracens: neat, slender - slender-headed calli
Caladenia	busselliana	Bussell's Spider Orchid	club sep	09 sep	Greg Bussel, orig.col., 1990, helpful orchid enthusiast.
Caladenia	caesarea ssp. caesarea see-zair-ee-uh	Mustard Orchid	c wispy	10 oct	Caesar, Roman emperor, majestic, imperial - flower
Caladenia	caesarea ssp. maritima	Cape Mustard Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	maritima: sea-coast - habitat
Caladenia	caesarea ssp. transiens	Dwarf Mustard Orchid	c wispy	09 sep	transiens: passing into - labellum shape
Caladenia	cairnsiana	Zebra Orchid	crested	08 aug	Honouring the Rev. Adam Cairns, of Melbourne.
Caladenia	chapmanii	Chapman's Spider Orchid	c wispy	09 sep	Eric Chapman of Dinninup, keen WA orchid enthusiast.
Caladenia	christineae	Christine's Spider Orchid	c white	10 oct	Christine Hopper - wife of Prof. Steve Hopper.
Caladenia	citrina	Margaret River Spider Orchid	c white	09 sep	lemon colour - flower
Caladenia	corynephora	Club-lipped Spider Orchid	club tep	12 dec	club + bearing - clubbed labellum tip
Caladenia	crebra KREE-bra	Arrowsmith Spider Orchid	club sep	08 aug	close, compact - labellum calli
Caladenia	cristata	Crested Spider Orchid	crested	09 sep	crested - calli arrangement
Caladenia	cruscula KRUS-kew-la	Reclining Spider Orchid	c white	09 sep	small legged - comparatively short tepals
Caladenia	decora	Esperance King Spider Orchid	club sep	09 sep	painted - flower colouration
Caladenia	denticulata ssp. albicans 'Arrowsmith'	Alabaster Spider Orchid	c wispy	09 sep	albicans: white + almost - the dull white flowers
Caladenia	denticulata ssp. denticulata	Yellow Spider Orchid	c wispy	09 sep	small tooth - labellum margins. (Orig.col., James Drummond, 1839.)
Caladenia	denticulata ssp. rubella 'Jarrah forest', 'red'	Clumped Spider Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	rubellus: reddish - flower
Caladenia	dimidia dee-MID-ee-ah	Chameleon Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	half - smaller lip size
Caladenia	discoidea dis-KOY-dee-ah	Dancing Orchid	c other	08 aug	disc shaped labellum
Caladenia	dorrienii	Cossack Spider Orchid	c wispy	10 oct	Capt. Arthur Algernon Dorrien-Smith, orig.col., (1876-1955), English naturalist.
Caladenia	doutchiae	Purple-veined Spider Orchid	crested	09 sep	Leila Beatrice Doutch, orig.col., 1921.
Caladenia	drakeoides drak-ee-OY-deez	Hinged Dragon Orchid	c dragon	09 sep	like a Drakaea - hinged lip. (Orig.col., John Tonkinson, 1960's.)
Caladenia	drummondii	Winter Spider Orchid	c white	05 may	James Drummond, orig.col., (1784-1863), Botanist, naturalist and avid collector.
Caladenia	dundasiae dun-das-ee-ay	Patricia's Spider Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	Patricia Dundas (1952-), botanical artist and orchid enthusiast.
Caladenia	elegans	Elegant Spider Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	elegant - attractive flowers
Caladenia	ensata	Stumpy Spider Orchid	club tep	10 oct	sword shaped - points on petals and lat. sepals
Caladenia	erythrochila	Lake Muir Blood Orchid	c wispy	09 sep	red + lip - labellum. (Orig.col., Harry Winfield 1970's.)
Caladenia	erythronema 'Nyabing'	Nyabing Spider Orchid	c wispy	09 sep	red + thread - red hairs which adorn the petals and sepals
Caladenia	evanescens evan-ESS-ens	Semaphore Spider Orchid	c wispy	11 nov	elusive, vanishing - nature of species. (Orig.col., Ron Oliver, Albany, 1962.)
Caladenia	excelsa	Giant Spider Orchid	c white	10 oct	lofty, high - plant stature
Caladenia	exilis ssp. exilis	Salt Lake Spider Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	slender - lip and tepals
Caladenia	exilis ssp. vanleeuwenii	Moora Spider Orchid	c wispy	07 jul	Steven van Leeuwen, research scientist, Dept. of Parks and Wildflife
Caladenia	exstans	Pointing Spider Orchid	c green	10 oct	projected - labellum reaches forward
Caladenia	falcata	Green Spider Orchid	c green	09 sep	sickle-shaped - upswept sepals
Caladenia	ferruginea fer-oo-JIN-ay	Rusty Spider Orchid	club sep	09 sep	rust coloured - flower. (Orig.col., William Nicholls.)
Caladenia	filifera fil-LIF-er-uh	Blood Spider Orchid	c wispy	09 sep	thread like - narrow tepals
Caladenia	flava ssp. flava	Cowslip Orchid	c fairy	08 aug	yellow - flower
Caladenia	flava ssp. maculata	Kalbarri Cowslip Orchid	c fairy	08 aug	maculata: spotted - dorsal sepal and petals
Caladenia	flava ssp. sylvestris	Karri Cowslip Orchid	c fairy	10 oct	sylvestris: forest, woods + habitat
Caladenia	fluvialis 'Brookton Hwy'	Brookton Highway Spider Orchid	c wispy	09 sep	stream, running water - preference for moist soils
Caladenia	footeana	Crimson Spider Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	Herb Foote, orchid photographer and enthusiast. Foundation pres. WANOSCG
Caladenia	fuscolutescens	Ochre Spider Orchid	c wispy	09 sep	brown + yellow - flower colour
Caladenia	gardneri	Cherry Spider Orchid	c white	10 oct	George Gardner, amatuer naturalist
Caladenia	georgei	Tuart Spider Orchid	club sep	09 sep	Alex George, botanist WA Herbarium
Caladenia	graminifolia	Grass-leafed Spider Orchid	club tep	08 aug	grass-like leaf
Caladenia	graniticola	Pingaring Spider Orchid	club tep	10 oct	granite + dweller. (Orig.col., Mrs K. White, 1984.)
Caladenia	granitora	Granite Spider Orchid	club sep	10 oct	coastal granite habitat
Caladenia	harringtoniae	Pink Spider Orchid	c white	10 oct	Alison Harrington - 1981 President of WANOSCG
Caladenia	heberleana heb-er-lee-AH-na	Heberle's Spider Orchid	c white	09 sep	Ron Heberle, (1913-2004), orchid expert, photographer and self taught naturalist.
Caladenia	hiemalis	Dwarf Common Spider Orchid	c wispy	07 jul	of winter - flowering
Caladenia	hirta ssp. hirta	Sugar Candy Orchid	c fairy	09 sep	hairy - plant. (Orig.col., James Drummond, 1931.)
Caladenia	hirta ssp. rosea	Pink Candy Orchid	c fairy	08 aug	rosea: rose coloured flower
Caladenia	hoffmanii	Hoffman's Spider Orchid	club tep	08 aug	Noel Hoffman, orchid photographer, enthusiast and author.
Caladenia	hopperiana 'Quindanning'	Quindanning Spider Orchid	c white	10 oct	Professor Stephen Donald Hopper (1951–), discovered and named many WA orchid species.
Caladenia	horistes	Cream Spider Orchid	c wispy	09 sep	determines the boundaries - eastern limit of the wispy spiders
Caladenia	huegelii	Grand Spider Orchid	club sep	09 sep	Baron Carl Alexander von Huegel, orig.col., (1794-1870), Austrian botanist. Visited the Swan River colony, WA. 1833.
Caladenia	incensa	Glistening Spider Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	fragrant - yielding scent when burnt
Caladenia	incrassata	Puppet Orchid	crested	08 aug	thickened - lateral sepals
Caladenia	infundibularis	Funnel-tipped Spider Orchid	club sep	10 oct	funnel shaped - labellum apex
Caladenia	integra	Smooth-lipped Spider Orchid	c green	10 oct	entire; whole - smooth labellum margin
Caladenia	interjacens	Walpole Spider Orchid	c white	10 oct	coming between - mix between orchid complexes
Caladenia	latifolia	Pink Fairy	c fairy	08 aug	broad + leaf
Caladenia	leucochila 'Collie'	Collie Spider Orchid	club sep	09 sep	white + lipped - labellum wholly white loo-koh-KY-la
Caladenia	lobata	Butterfly Orchid	c green	10 oct	lobed - broad lobed labellum
Caladenia	lodgeana	Lodge's Spider Orchid	club sep	11 nov	Harry Lodge, WA orchid enthusiast. WANOSCG (Orig.col., Greg Bussel, orchid enthusiast.)
Caladenia	longicauda ssp. albella	Small-lipped Spider Orchid	c white	09 sep	albella: dull white + small - flowers
Caladenia	longicauda ssp. australora	Southern White Spider Orchid	c white	09 sep	australora: of the south - distribution
Caladenia	longicauda ssp. borealis	Daddy-long-legs Spider Orchid	c white	08 aug	borealis: of the north - distribution
Caladenia	longicauda ssp. calcigena	Coastal White Spider Orchid	c white	09 sep	calcigena: lime + born - limestone dweller
Caladenia	longicauda ssp. clivicola	Hill's White Spider Orchid	c white	09 sep	clivicola: hill slope + dweller - along the Darling Scarp
Caladenia	longicauda ssp. crassa	Esperance White Spider Orchid	c white	09 sep	crassa: thick - short tepals
Caladenia	longicauda ssp. eminens	Stark White Spider Orchid	c white	09 sep	eminens: eminent - flowers
Caladenia	longicauda ssp. extrema 'Manjimup'	Seaton Ross Spider Orchid	c white	10 oct	extrema: last, extreme - late flowering period
Caladenia	longicauda ssp. insularis 'Duke or Orleans Bay'	Island Spider Orchid	c white	09 sep	insularis: island - island habitat of the type population
Caladenia	longicauda ssp. longicauda	White Spider Orchid	c white	09 sep	long + tail - petals and sepals. (Orig.col., James Drummond, 1839.)
Caladenia	longicauda ssp. merrittii	Merritt's White Spider Orchid	c white	09 sep	merretii: Wayne Merritt, orig.col., orchid enthusiast.
Caladenia	longicauda ssp. minima 'Chapman Valley'	Chapman Valley White Spider Orchid	c white	08 aug	minima: small for a 'white spider' orchid. (Orig.col., Andrew Brown, 2000.)
Caladenia	longicauda ssp. redacta	Tangled Spider Orchid	c white	09 sep	redacta: reduced - flower size
Caladenia	longicauda ssp. rigidula	Rigid White Spider Orchid	c white	09 sep	rigidula: rigid + small - small flower with stiff petals and sepals
Caladenia	longiclavata	Clubbed Spider Orchid	club tep	09 sep	long + clubbed - clubs on tepals
Caladenia	longifimbriata lon-jee-FIM-bree-ah-ta	Green-comb Spider Orchid	c green	08 aug	long + fringe - labellum. (Orig.col., Ron Heberle, 1978.)
Caladenia	lorea	Blushing Spider Orchid	c white	09 sep	strap shaped - long clubs on petals and lat. sepals
Caladenia	luteola	Lemon Spider Orchid	c wispy	09 sep	pale yellow - flower
Caladenia	macrostylis	Leaping Spider Orchid	c other	09 sep	large + style - broad column wings
Caladenia	magniclavata	Big Clubbed Spider Orchid	club tep	09 sep	large + clubbed
Caladenia	marginata	White Fairy Orchid	c fairy	10 oct	margin + likeness - thickened petal and sepal margins
Caladenia	melanema	Ballerina Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	black + threads - dark tepal ends
Caladenia	meridionalis	South Coast Spider Orchid	c wispy	07 jul	southern - distribution
Caladenia	mesocera me-so-SEER-ah	Narrow-lipped Dragon Orchid	c dragon	09 sep	middle + horn - position of labellum horns
Caladenia	microchila my-kro-KY-la	Western Wispy Spider Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	small + lip - labellum
Caladenia	multiclavia	Lazy Spider Orchid	c other	09 sep	much clubbed - club-shaped calli
Caladenia	multiplex	Bulbarnet Spider Orchid	c white	08 aug	numerous - rows of labellum lamina calli commonly found this species compared to related species
Caladenia	nana ssp. nana	Little Pink Fan Orchid	c fairy	09 sep	dwarf - small plant
Caladenia	nana ssp. unita	Pink Fan Orchid	c fairy	10 oct	united - sepals
Caladenia	nivalis nih-VAY-liss	Exotic Spider Orchid	c white	09 sep	snowy white - flowers
Caladenia	nobilis	Noble Spider Orchid	c wispy	09 sep	distinguished, excellent - large, attractive flowers
Caladenia	occidentalis ok-si-den-TAY-lis	Ruby Spider Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	western - distribution
Caladenia	pachychila pak-ee-KY-lah	Dwarf Zebra Orchid	crested	08 aug	thick + lip
Caladenia	paludosa	Swamp Spider Orchid	club sep	10 oct	swampy, marshy - habitat
Caladenia	paradoxa	Ironcaps Spider Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	strange, unexpected - confusion about identity
Caladenia	pectinata	King Spider Orchid	club sep	10 oct	toothed like a comb - labellum
Caladenia	pendens ssp. pendens	Pendant Spider Orchid	c wispy	09 sep	pendulus - tepals
Caladenia	pendens ssp. talbotii	Talbot's Spider Orchid	c wispy	09 sep	Len Talbot, orig.col., Forester.
Caladenia	perangusta 'Keninup'	Boyup Brook Spider Orchid	c wispy	09 sep	very + narrow - the slender petals and sepals
Caladenia	petrensis	Rock Spider Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	rock - rocky habitat
Caladenia	pholcoidea ssp. augustensis	Augusta White Spider Orchid	c white	11 nov	the town of Augusta - location of original find. (Orig.col., Greg Bussell, 1992.)
Caladenia	pholcoidea ssp. pholcoidea	Albany Spider Orchid	c white	12 dec	bandy-legged - like a daddy long legs spider
Caladenia	plicata	Crab-lipped Spider Orchid	club sep	10 oct	folded - shape of labellum
Caladenia	pluvialis 'Yuna'	Yuna Spider Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	relating to rain - flowers profusely after good winter rainfall.
Caladenia	polychroma	Joseph's Spider Orchid	c wispy	09 sep	poly + chromus - many colours
Caladenia	postea	Dark-tipped Spider Orchid	c wispy	10 oct	later flowering. (Orig.col., Fred Hort.)
Caladenia	procera	Carbunup King Spider Orchid	club sep	09 sep	very tall - plant
Caladenia	pulchra PUL-kruh	Slender Spider Orchid	c wispy	09 sep	beauty, elegant - flower
Caladenia	radialis	Drooping Spider Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	radiating - labellum markings
Caladenia	radiata	Ray Spider Orchid	club tep	11 nov	radiating - labellum fringes
Caladenia	remota ssp. parva	Perenjori Spider Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	parva: small, short - lip and column
Caladenia	remota ssp. remota	Outback Spider Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	remote - location
Caladenia	reptans ssp. impensa	Pale Pink Fairy	c fairy	08 aug	impensa: large, great - bigger than reptans
Caladenia	reptans ssp. reptans	Little Pink Fairy	c fairy	08 aug	creeping - spreading, clumping habit of the species
Caladenia	rhomboidiformis	Diamond Spider Orchid	club tep	09 sep	diamond + shape - labellum
Caladenia	roei ROW-eye	Clown Orchid	crested	08 aug	John Septimus Roe (1797-1878), Surveyor, Explorer and Botanical Collector.
Caladenia	saxicola	Banded Iron Stone Spider Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	rock + dweller - habitat
Caladenia	serotina	Christmas Spider Orchid	c white	11 nov	occuring late - flowering time
Caladenia	sigmoidea	Sigmoid Spider Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	sigma - “S” shaped labellum. (Orig.col., L. Horbury, 1937.)
Caladenia	speciosa	Sandplain White Spider Orchid	c white	09 sep	showy, splendid - flower
Caladenia	splendens	Splendid Spider Orchid	c white	09 sep	brilliant, shining - large and bright flowers
Caladenia	startiorum	Start's Spider Orchid	c white	09 sep	Joff Start and Family, orchid enthusiasts.
Caladenia	straminichila 'Moodiarrup'	Tenterden Yellow Spider Orchid	c wispy	09 sep	straw-yellow + lipped - colouration of the labellum
Caladenia	swartsiorum 'Island Point'	Island Point Spider Orchid	c white	10 oct	Eric Swarts (1954–) and son Nigel Swarts (1981–), orig.cols.
Caladenia	thinicola	Scott River Spider Orchid	club sep	10 oct	dune + dweller - sand dune habitat
Caladenia	uliginosa ssp. candicans	Northern Darting Spider Orchid	c white	10 oct	candicans: glowing; shining - labellum colour
Caladenia	uliginosa ssp. patulens	Frail Spider Orchid	c white	09 sep	patulens: spreading - tepals
Caladenia	uliginosa ssp. uliginosa ew-li-gi-NO-suh	Darting Spider Orchid	c white	10 oct	swampy, marshy - habitat
Caladenia	ultima	Late Spider Orchid	c wispy	11 nov	ultimate, last - flowering period
Caladenia	validinervia 'Muir Highway'	Lake Muir Spider Orchid	c wispy	09 sep	strong, robust + nerved - the often prominent dull red stripes on the petals and sepals.
Caladenia	varians 'vulgata'	Common Spider Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	diverse, variable
Caladenia	viridescens	Dunsborough Spider Orchid	club sep	09 sep	becoming green - flower colour
Caladenia	voigtii VOY-tee-eye	Mohawk Spider Orchid	crested	09 sep	Don Voight, orig.col., Esperance orchid enthusiast.
Caladenia	wanosa	Kalbarri Spider Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	acronym - Western Australian Native Orchid Study And Conservation Group
Caladenia	williamsiae	William's Spider Orchid	club tep	08 aug	Judy Williams, orig.col., found on a single reserve near Brookton - 450 plants on 2 ha.
Caladenia	winfieldii	Majestic Spider Orchid	c white	11 nov	Harry Winfield, orig.col., Forester. Discovered in 1987 near Walpole. Less than 100 known.
Caladenia	xantha ZAN-tha	Primrose Spider Orchid	c wispy	08 aug	yellow - flower
Calochilus	pruinosus	Mallee Beard Orchid		09 sep	frosted - plant and flower covered with white powdery bloom
Calochilus	stramenicola	Wandoo Beard Orchid		09 sep	litter dweller - leaf litter habitat
Calochilus	uliginosus	Swamp Beard Orchid		10 oct	swampy, marshy - habitat
Corunastylis	fuscoviridis 'tepperi'	Pygmy Orchid		04 apr	brown + green - flower colour
Corysanthes	autumnalis 'peat'	Peat Helmet Orchid		05 may	autumn flowering
Corysanthes	despectans	Sandhill Helmet Orchid		07 jul	overlooked - small flowers overlooked for nine years. (Orig.col., Laurie Byrne, 1971.)
Corysanthes	intuta	Busselton Helmet Orchid		08 aug	ungarded, defencless - species verging on extinction due to clearing of habitat for housing
Corysanthes	limpidus	Crystal Helmet Orchid		07 jul	clear, transparent - flower parts
Corysanthes	recurvus	Helmet Orchid		07 jul	recurved - flower bends backwards to expose the labellum
Cryptostylis	ovata	Slipper Orchid		12 dec	oval - leaf shape
Cyanicula	amplexans	Dainty Blue Orchid		08 aug	encircling, clasping - labellum embraces the column.
Cyanicula	aperta	Western Tiny Blue Orchid		08 aug	open - gap between labellum lobes
Cyanicula	ashbyae	Powder-blue China Orchid		10 oct	Alison Marjorie Ashby, orig.col., (1901-1987), botanical painter.
Cyanicula	fragrans	Fragrant China Orchid		09 sep	pleasant vanilla odour
Cyanicula	gemmata	Blue China Orchid		09 sep	gem-like - the calli
Cyanicula	gertrudiae	Pale China Orchid		10 oct	Gertrude Ostenfeld, daughter of orig.col., Carl Ostenfeld.
Cyanicula	ixioides ssp. candida	White China Orchid		09 sep	candidus: pure white - flower
Cyanicula	ixioides ssp. ixioides	Yellow China Orchid		09 sep	ixia + like - flowers like the genus Ixia
Cyanicula	nikulinskyae	Esperance China Orchid		09 sep	Philipa Nikulinsky (1942-), botanical illustrator and artist.
Cyanicula	sericea	Silky Blue Orchid		08 aug	silky - the leaf
Cyrtostylis	huegelii	Midge Orchid		07 jul	Baron Carl Alexander von Huegel, orig.col., (1794-1870), naturalist. Visited the Swan River Colony (Perth) in 1833.
Cyrtostylis	robusta	Mosquito Orchid		07 jul	robust, strong - size of labellum
Cyrtostylis	tenuissima	Gnat Orchid		10 oct	delicate, small - flower
Diuris	amplissima	Giant Donkey Orchid	donkey	10 oct	great, large - flower
Diuris	brachyscapa sp. 'western wheatbelt'	Western Wheatbelt Donkey Orchid	donkey	08 aug	short + scape - short flower stalk brak-ee-SKAY-pa
Diuris	brevis sp. 'Perth swamps'	Short-nosed Donkey Orchid	donkey	08 aug	short - labellum mid lobe BREV-is
Diuris	brockmanii sp. 'south coast'	South Coast Donkey Orchid	donkey	07 jul	Gary Brockman, orig.col., orchid enthusiast and author. brock-MAN-ee-eye
Diuris	brumalis	Winter Donkey Orchid	donkey	07 jul	shortest day - winter flowering
Diuris	carecta sp. 'Murchison River'	Sedge-loving Donkey Orchid	donkey	09 sep	a sedgy place - sedge habitat ka-REK-ta
Diuris	carinata	Tall Bee Orchid	d bee	10 oct	keel-shaped - labellum. (Orig.col., James Drummond, 1839.)
Diuris	concinna	Elegant Donkey Orchid	d bee	10 oct	pleasant, neat - flower
Diuris	conspicillata	Spectacled Donkey Orchid	donkey	08 aug	spectacled - appearance of labellum wearing glasses
Diuris	corymbosa	Common Donkey Orchid	donkey	09 sep	cluster - flower arrangement.
Diuris	cruenta sp. 'Kemerton’	Kemerton Donkey Orchid	donkey	09 sep	bloody, gory colours - reddish brown markings on the pale yellow flowers kroo-EN-tuh
Diuris	decrementa	Common Bee Orchid	d bee	09 sep	diminishing, lessening
Diuris	drummondii	Tall Donkey Orchid	d bee	12 dec	James Drummond, orig.col., (1784-1863), naturalist and avid collector. Over 100 plant species have been named in his honour.
Diuris	eburnea	Arrowsmith Bee Orchid	d bee	10 oct	ivory white - flower
Diuris	emarginata	Late Donkey Orchid	d bee	12 dec	of edge, margin - notched labellum ridge. (Orig.col., Robert Brown, 1801.)
Diuris	filifolia	Cat's Face Orchid	d bee	09 sep	thread-like leaves
Diuris	hazeliae sp. ‘eastern wheatbelt’	Yellow Granite Donkey Orchid	donkey	08 aug	Hazel King, plant collector, conservationist and orchid enthusiast. hay-zel-ee-ay
Diuris	heberlei	Heberle's Donkey Orchid	d bee	12 dec	Ron Heberle, (1913-2004), orchid expert, photographer and self taught naturalist.
Diuris	immaculata	Little Esperance Bee Orchid	d bee	09 sep	not + spotted - pure yellow flower
Diuris	insignis	Dark Bee Orchid	d bee	10 oct	remarkable, notable - flower
Diuris	jonesii sp. ‘Dunsborough'	Dunsborough Donkey Orchid	donkey	09 sep	David Jones, botanist and Australia's orchid guru. jones-ee-eye
Diuris	laevis	Nanny Goat Orchid	d nanny	10 oct	smooth - leaves
Diuris	laxiflora	Bee Orchid	d bee	09 sep	loose flowered
Diuris	littoralis sp. 'Green Range'	Green Range Donkey Orchid	donkey	08 aug	of the sea shore - coastal distribution lit-tor-AY-liss
Diuris	longifolia	Purple Pansy Orchid	donkey	10 oct	long leafed
Diuris	magnifica	Pansy Orchid	donkey	09 sep	splendid, noble - flowers
Diuris	micrantha	Dwarf Bee Orchid	d bee	09 sep	small + flower
Diuris	oraria sp. 'Zuytdorp Cliffs'	Northern Coastal Donkey Orchid	donkey	08 aug	of the coast - distribution oh-RAH-ree-uh
Diuris	ostrina sp. 'Darling Scarp'	Darling Range Donkey Orchid	donkey	10 oct	purple - predominantly purple labellum oss-TRY-nuh
Diuris	pallescens sp. 'mid north'	Pale Donkey Orchid	donkey	09 sep	pale, pallid - flowers pa-LESS-ens
Diuris	pauciflora	Swamp Bee Orchid	d bee	11 nov	few-flowered
Diuris	perialla	Early Donkey Orchid	donkey	07 jul	before all others - early flowering period
Diuris	picta	Granite Bee Orchid	d bee	10 oct	painted - floral colouration. (Orig.col., James Drummond, 1853.)
Diuris	porphyrochila sp. 'Yalgorup’	Yalgorup Donkey Orchid	donkey	09 sep	reddish-purple + lip – labellum mid-lobe colour por-fy-ro-KY-luh
Diuris	porrifolia	Small-flowered Donkey Orchid	donkey	08 aug	leek-like + leaf - shape
Diuris	pulchella	Beautiful Donkey Orchid	donkey	08 aug	beautiful, handsome - flower colour
Diuris	purdiei	Purdie's Donkey Orchid	d nanny	10 oct	Alexander Purdie, orig.col., (1859-1905). Enthusiastic collector of WA flora.
Diuris	recurva	Mini Donkey Orchid	donkey	08 aug	recurved lateral sepals
Diuris	refracta	Dainty Donkey Orchid	donkey	08 aug	broken
Diuris	segregata	Northampton Bee Orchid	d bee	08 aug	seperate, set apart - from D. septenrionalis
Diuris	septentrionalis	Northern Bee Orchid	d bee	08 aug	north, northern - distribution
Diuris	setacea	Bristly Donkey Orchid	d bee	11 nov	bristle + like - leaves. (Orig.col., Robert Brown, 1801)
Diuris	suffusa sp. 'Wyalkatchem'	Mottled Donkey Orchid	donkey	09 sep	suffused, tinged - pale flowers tinged with darker colours suf-FEW-suh
Diuris	tinctoria sp. 'sandplain'	Sandplain Donkey Orchid	donkey	09 sep	tinged, dyed - colour patterns in the flower tink-TOR-ee-ah
Diuris	tinkeri sp. ‘Eneabba’	Arrowsmith Pansy Orchid	donkey	08 aug	Allan Tinker. Legend from the Western Flora Caravan Park. tin-ker-eye
Drakaea	andrewsiae	Lost Hammer Orchid		09 sep	Mrs Andrews, orig.col., 1930.
Drakaea	concolor	Kneeling Hammer Orchid		08 aug	uniform in colour - labellum
Drakaea	confluens	Late Hammer Orchid		10 oct	flowing together - labellum has features of both D. livida and D. elastica
Drakaea	elastica	Glossy-leafed Hammer Orchid		10 oct	springy, elastic - hinged labellum
Drakaea	glyptodon	King-in-his-Carriage		09 sep	glyptodon (armadillo-like extinct animal) - labellum shape
Drakaea	gracilis	Slender Hammer Orchid		09 sep	slender - labellum
Drakaea	isolata	Lonely Hammer Orchid		09 sep	isolated - from other Drakaea species. (Orig.col., Bob Bates, orchidologist.)
Drakaea	livida	Warty Hammer Orchid		09 sep	bruised, discloloured, mottled - flower colour
Drakaea	micrantha	Dwarf Hammer Orchid		09 sep	small + flower. (Orig.col., Theodore Goadby, 1930.)
Drakaea	thynniphila	Narrow-lipped Hammer Orchid		09 sep	thynnid wasps + loving - pollinators
Elythranthera	brunonis	Purple Enamel Orchid		09 sep	Robert Brown (1773-1858), naturalist. (Orig.col., Baron Von Huegel, 1833.)
Elythranthera	emarginata	Pink Enamel Orchid		10 oct	bordered - labellum lobes
Epiblema	grandiflorum	Babe-in-a-Cradle		12 dec	large + flower
Ericksonella	saccharata	Sugar Orchid		08 aug	sugary, dusted with sugar - flower appearance
Eriochilus	dilatatus ssp. brevifolius	Blunt-leaved Bunny Orchid		05 may	brevifolius: short + leaf
Eriochilus	dilatatus ssp. dilatatus	White Bunny Orchid		04 apr	widened - broad labellum and lateral sepals
Eriochilus	dilatatus ssp. magnus	Easter Bunny Orchid		04 apr	magnus: large, big - large leaf and tall scape
Eriochilus	dilatatus ssp. multiflorus	Common Bunny Orchid		04 apr	multiflorus: many flowers
Eriochilus	dilatatus ssp. orientalis	Eastern Bunny Orchid		04 apr	orientalis: of the east - range of the species
Eriochilus	dilatatus ssp. undulatus	Crinkle-leafed Bunny Orchid		04 apr	undulatus: undulating, wavy - leaf
Eriochilus	glareosus	Scarp Bunny Orchid		06 jun	gravelly - of a gravelly area; growing in gravelly terrain
Eriochilus	helonomos	Swamp Bunny Orchid		04 apr	swampy, marshy - habitat
Eriochilus	pulchellus	Granite Bunny Orchid		04 apr	beautiful + small - flower and stature
Eriochilus	scaber ssp. orbifolius	Round-leafed Pink Bunny Orchid		07 jul	orbifolius: circular + leaf
Eriochilus	scaber ssp. scaber	Pink Bunny Orchid		07 jul	rough - labellum surface
Eriochilus	tenuis	Slender Bunny Orchid		10 oct	thin, narrow - slender plant form
Eriochilus	valens	Red-lipped Bunny Orchid		04 apr	robust, strong - colourful labellum
Gastrodia	lacista	Potato Orchid		12 dec	tattered, torn - labellum margins
Leporella	fimbriata	Hare Orchid		04 apr	fringed - labellum
Leptoceras	menziesii	Rabbit Orchid		09 sep	Dr. Archibald Menzies, orig.col., (1754-1842), botanist and early WA plant collector.
Lyperanthus	serratus	Rattle Beak		10 oct	saw-toothed - labellum calli
Microtis	alba	White Mignonette Orchid		12 dec	white - flowers
Microtis	alboviridis	Scented Mignonette Orchid		11 nov	white + green - flower
Microtis	atrata	Swamp Mignonette Orchid		09 sep	dark, black - pressed specimens drying black
Microtis	brownii	Sweet Mignonette Orchid		12 dec	Robert Brown, orig.col., (1773-1858), naturalist.
Microtis	cupularis	Cupped Mignonette Orchid		10 oct	cup - labellum shape
Microtis	eremaea	Slender Mignonette Orchid		09 sep	desert - inland habitat
Microtis	eremicola	Desert Mignonette Orchid		09 sep	desert + dweller - habitat
Microtis	familiaris	Coastal Mignonette Orchid		12 dec	familiar, friendly - grows with other Microtis species
Microtis	globula	Globular Mignonette Orchid		12 dec	globe, ball - shape of the flower. (Orig.col., Bob Bates, S.Aust. 1982.)
Microtis	graniticola	Granite Mignonette Orchid		09 sep	granite + dweller - habitat
Microtis	media ssp. densiflora	Dense Mignonette Orchid		10 oct	densiflora: dense + flowers - flower spike
Microtis	media ssp. media	Common Mignonette Orchid		10 oct	average, middle - intermediate floral structure
Microtis	orbicularis	Dark Mignonette Orchid		09 sep	circular - labellum shape
Microtis	pulchella	Beautiful Mignonette Orchid		12 dec	pretty - flower
Microtis	quadrata	South Coast Mignonette Orchid		12 dec	squared - labellum shape
Paracaleana	alcockii	Alcock's Duck Orchid		09 sep	Prof. John Alcock (USA) - behavioral ecologist and author, who recognised the species as distinct.
Paracaleana	brockmanii	Brockman's Duck Orchid		11 nov	Gary Brockman, orig.col., orchid enthusiast and author.
Paracaleana	disjuncta	Little Duck Orchid		10 oct	distinct, separate - widely separated locations of species
Paracaleana	dixonii	Sandplain Duck Orchid		11 nov	Dr. Kingsley Dixon, Director of Science at Kings Park & Botanic Garden and author.
Paracaleana	ferricola sp. ‘darling range’	Darling Range Duck Orchid		09 sep	iron + dweller - habitat
Paracaleana	gracilicordata	Slender-leafed Duck Orchid		11 nov	slender + heart-shaped - leaves. (orig.cols., C.French & G. Brockman)
Paracaleana	granitica	Granite Duck Orchid		11 nov	found in 'granite country'.
Paracaleana	hortiorum	Hort's Duck Orchid		09 sep	Fred and Jean Hort, orig.cols., citizen scientists, volunteers and enthusiasts.
Paracaleana	lyonsii	Midget Duck Orchid		10 oct	Michael Lyons, orig.col., 1994, research scientist.
Paracaleana	nigrita	Flying Duck Orchid		09 sep	blackish - dark colouring of the first specimens found in burnt areas
Paracaleana	parvula	Esperance Duck Orchid		10 oct	very small - flowers
Paracaleana	terminalis	Smooth-billed Duck Orchid		08 aug	terminal - calli confined to tip of labellum
Paracaleana	triens	Broad-billed Duck Orchid		09 sep	one third - calli confined to apical third of labellum
Pheladenia	deformis	Blue Beard		08 aug	out of shape - labellum
Praecoxanthus	aphyllus	Leafless Orchid		04 apr	without + leaf - It does have a leaf, but not when flowering.
Prasophyllum	brownii	Christmas Leek Orchid	tall	12 dec	Robert Brown, orig.col., (1773-1858), botanist and naturalist.
Prasophyllum	calcicola	Limestone Leek Orchid	small	09 sep	limestone + dweller - sand and limey soil habitat
Prasophyllum	cucullatum	Hooded Leek Orchid	stout	09 sep	hood-shaped - formation of lateral sepals
Prasophyllum	cuneatum sp. ‘Swan Region’	Darling Scarp Leek Orchid	tall	08 aug	wedge-shaped - labellum lamina and callus kew-nee-AH-tum
Prasophyllum	cyphochilum	Pouched Leek Orchid	slender	09 sep	hump + lip - labellum base
Prasophyllum	drummondii	Swamp Leek Orchid	tall	10 oct	James Drummond, orig.col., (1784-1863), Botanist, naturalist and avid collector.
Prasophyllum	elatum	Tall Leek Orchid	tall	09 sep	tall - flower spikes
Prasophyllum	fimbria	Fringed Leek Orchid	tall	07 jul	fringed - frilly labellum
Prasophyllum	gibbosum	Humped Leek Orchid	stout	10 oct	humped, swollen - hump at base of lateral sepal
Prasophyllum	giganteum	Bronze Leek Orchid	tall	09 sep	gigantic - tall flower spikes
Prasophyllum	gracile	Little Laughing Leek Orchid	small	08 aug	slender - tips of sepals
Prasophyllum	hians	Yawning Leek Orchid	tall	09 sep	gaping - open appearance of flowers
Prasophyllum	macrostachyum	Laughing Leek Orchid	small	10 oct	large (flower) spike
Prasophyllum	macrotys	Inland Leek Orchid	tall	09 sep	large bunch - often crowded inflorescence
Prasophyllum	odoratissimum	Fragrant Leek Orchid	tall	10 oct	very fragrant - flowers
Prasophyllum	ovale	Little Leek Orchid	slender	09 sep	egg-shaped - labellum
Prasophyllum	parvifolium	Autumn Leek Orchid	hunched	07 jul	small leaf
Prasophyllum	paulineae	Pauline's Laughing Leek Orchid	small	10 oct	Pauline Heberle, orchid enthusiast.
Prasophyllum	plumiforme	Dainty Leek Orchid	slender	09 sep	feathery + shape - labellum
Prasophyllum	regium	King Leek Orchid	tall	10 oct	royal - tall inflorescences
Prasophyllum	sargentii	Frilled Leek Orchid	tall	09 sep	Oswald Hewlett Sargent (1880-1952), Orchidologist.
Prasophyllum	triangulare	Dark Leek Orchid	tall	09 sep	triangular-shaped lip. (Orig.col., Robert Fitzgerald, 1881.)
Pterostylis	actites ak-TY-tees	Coastal Short-eared Snail Orchid	p sep up	09 sep	coast dweller
Pterostylis	allantoidea	Shy Greenhood	p sep up	08 aug	sausage-like - labellum shape
Pterostylis	angulata sp. ‘Helena River’, 'limestone'	Helena River Snail Orchid	p sep up	08 aug	angular - nature of the flower
Pterostylis	angusta	Narrow Hooded Shell Orchid	p sep up	06 jun	narrowed - hood on flower
Pterostylis	arbuscula	Varicoloured Banded Greenhood	p sep down	07 jul	sapling, small tree - habitat preference
Pterostylis	aspera	Brown-veined Shell Orchid	p sep up	06 jun	rough, stiff-haired - labellum
Pterostylis	atrosanguinea sp. 'crowded'	Crowded Banded Greenhood	p sep down	08 aug	dark + red – flowers at-ro-san-GWIN-ee-uh
Pterostylis	barbata	Bird Orchid	p sep down	08 aug	bearded - hairy labellum
Pterostylis	brevichila	Dwarf Shell Orchid	p sep up	08 aug	short + lip - labellum
Pterostylis	brevisepala	Short-eared Snail Orchid	p sep up	09 sep	having short sepals
Pterostylis	brunneola sp. ‘giant’	Giant Snail Orchid	p sep up	09 sep	brownish - flowers broo-nee-OH-la
Pterostylis	ciliata	Hairy Rufous Greenhood	p sep down	10 oct	bearing cilia, hairs - flower
Pterostylis	concava	Cupped Banded Greenhood	p sep down	07 jul	concave - cupped lateral sepals
Pterostylis	crebriflora	Darling Range Banded Greenhood	p sep down	07 jul	many + flowers
Pterostylis	crispula sp. ‘slender’	Slender Snail Orchid	p sep up	08 aug	little curls, wavy
Pterostylis	dilatata	Robust Snail Orchid	p sep up	06 jun	enlarged, widened - bloated flowers
Pterostylis	echinulata sp. ‘hairy leaf’	Hairy-leafed Snail Orchid	p sep up	07 jul	very small prickles - short hairs on the leaves, scape and ovary ek-in-yoo-LAH-ta
Pterostylis	ectypha sp. ‘cauline leaves’, 'northern thick sepals'	Murdoch Snail Orchid	p sep up	08 aug	swollen, puffed up - thickened free points on the lateral sepals ek-TY-fah
Pterostylis	elegantissima sp. ‘elegant’	Elegant Rufous Greenhood	p sep down	10 oct	most elegant - flowers el-ee-gan-TISS-ee-muh
Pterostylis	eremaea er-em-EE-ah	Salt Lake Rufous Greenhood	p sep down	10 oct	desert - arid habitat
Pterostylis	erubescens sp. ‘red flowered’	Red-sepalled Snail Orchid	p sep up	08 aug	reddish, becoming red - the aging flower er-yoo-BES-enz
Pterostylis	exserta sp. ‘exserted labellum’	Exserted Rufous Greenhood	p sep down	10 oct	protruding - extended labellum ek-SER-tuh
Pterostylis	faceta sp. ‘plumed	Plumed Bird Orchid	p sep down	08 aug	fine, elegant - appearance of the flowers
Pterostylis	frenchii	Tuart Rufous Greenhood	p sep down	11 nov	Chris French, orig.col. WA orchid expert and author.
Pterostylis	fuliginosa few-lih-gin-OH-sah	Sooty Rufous Greenhood	p sep down	10 oct	sooty black - flower colour
Pterostylis	galgulus sp. ‘dwarf	Dwarf Bird Orchid	p sep down	08 aug	small bird - small flower size
Pterostylis	glebosa sp. ‘clubbed snail orchid’	Clubbed Snail Orchid	p sep up	09 sep	lumpy - points of the lateral sepals gle-BOH-sah
Pterostylis	gracillima sp. ‘slender’	Long-sepalled Snail Orchid	p sep up	09 sep	slender gras-IL-ih-muh
Pterostylis	grossa sp. ‘Ravensthorpe’	Ravensthorpe Snail Orchid	p sep up	09 sep	stout; thick; big
Pterostylis	hadra sp. 'inconspicuous'	Elusive Rufus Greenhood	p sep down	10 oct	sturdy, strong - robust habit
Pterostylis	hamiltonii	Red-veined Shell Orchid	p sep up	06 jun	Alexander Greenlaw Hamilton (1852-1941), naturalist and orchid collector.
Pterostylis	heberlei sp. ‘Gull Rock’	Heberle’s Bird Orchid	p sep down	10 oct	Ron Heberle, (1913-2004), orchid expert, photographer and self taught naturalist.
Pterostylis	insectifera	Insect-lipped Rufous Greenhood	p sep down	10 oct	insect bearing - labellum shape
Pterostylis	jacksonii sp. ‘granite’	Southwest Granite Snail Orchid	p sep up	09 sep	Bill Jackson, orhchid enthusiast and collector. jak-SON-ee-eye
Pterostylis	karri sp. ‘karri forest’	Karri Snail Orchid	p sep up	08 aug	the Karri forest habitat
Pterostylis	leptochila	Ravensthorpe Rufous Greenhood	p sep down	10 oct	narrow + lip - labellum
Pterostylis	longicornis sp. ‘Muirs Highway’	Muir Highway Bird Orchid	p sep down	10 oct	long + horn - lon-jee-KORN-is
Pterostylis	lortensis sp. ‘south coast clubbed sepals’	Lort River Snail Orchid	p sep up	09 sep	type locality Lort River lor-TEN-sis
Pterostylis	macrocalymma	Large-hooded Rufous Greenhood	p sep down	09 sep	large + hood - formed by dorsal sepal and petals
Pterostylis	macrosceles sp. ‘slender rufa’	Slender Rufous Greenhood	p sep down	09 sep	large + leg - the long sepals mak-roh-SKA-leez
Pterostylis	meridionalis sp. ‘Cape Le Grand’	Thick-sepalled Snail Orchid	p sep up	09 sep	southern - distribution mer-id-ee-oh-NAL-iss
Pterostylis	microglossa	Kalbarri Shell Orchid	p sep up	06 jun	small + tongue - short labellum
Pterostylis	microphylla sp. ‘small rosette’	Small Rosette Snail Orchid	p sep up	09 sep	small + leaf my-kro-FIL-uh
Pterostylis	mutica	Midget Greenhood	p sep down	08 aug	without a point, blunt - petals and sepals
Pterostylis	neopolyphylla	Manypeaks Snail Orchid	p sep up	08 aug	many leaves - ref to the multi-leaved basal rosette pol-ee-FIL-uh
Pterostylis	occulta	Little Frog Orchid	p sep down	09 sep	occultus - (hidden) alludes to herbarium collections of this species, which have remained hidden under P. sargentii for more than eighty years.
Pterostylis	orbiculata sp. ‘coastal’ sp. ’small bands’	Small Banded Greenhood	p sep down	07 jul	circular shape - sepal plate (synsepalum)
Pterostylis	parva sp. ‘small stature’	Fawn Snail Orchid	p sep up	08 aug	small, little - stature, flowers and leaves PAR-vuh
Pterostylis	perculta sp. ‘Ongerup’	Ruddy Hood	p sep down	10 oct	highly adorned - colourful, prominantly marked flowers per-CULL-ta
Pterostylis	picta	Painted Rufous Greenhood	p sep down	10 oct	painted - flower markings
Pterostylis	platypetala sp. ‘broad petals’	Broad-petalled Snail Orchid	p sep up	07 jul	broad + petal plat-ee-PET-ah-la
Pterostylis	precatoria sp. ‘Mehinup’	Mehinup Bird Orchid	p sep down	09 sep	to pray - open, outward attitude of the lateral sepals prek-uh-TOR-ee-uh
Pterostylis	pyramidalis	Tall Snail Orchid	p sep up	09 sep	pyramid-shaped - leaves, large at base, smaller near the top
Pterostylis	recurva	Jug Orchid	p recurve	08 aug	recurved - sepal
Pterostylis	roensis	Rufous Greenhood	p sep down	10 oct	Roe Botanical District - where species are widespread
Pterostylis	rogersii	Curled-tongue Shell Orchid	p sep up	07 jul	Richard Sanders Rogers (1862-1942), orchidologist and author. (Orig.col., H.M.R.Rupp, 1929.)
Pterostylis	sanguinea	Dark Banded Greenhood	p sep down	07 jul	blood coloured - often reddish flowers
Pterostylis	sargentii	Frog Greenhood	p sep down	08 aug	Oswald Hewlett Sargent (1880-1952), orchidologist. (Orig.col., his friend, Cecil Andrews, 1904.)
Pterostylis	saxosa sp. ‘granite bird’	Granite Bird Orchid	p sep down	10 oct	rocky places - habitat saks-OH-suh
Pterostylis	saxum	Castle Rock Snail Orchid	p sep up	09 sep	rock - rocky habitat of the species saks-um
Pterostylis	scabra	Green-veined Shell Orchid	p sep up	07 jul	rough - labellum surface
Pterostylis	scabrella	Rough-lipped Snail Orchid	p sep up	08 aug	rough, scabrid, in reference to the scabrid labellum margins
Pterostylis	scitula sp. ‘elegant snail orchid’	Elegant Snail Orchid	p sep up	08 aug	pretty, neat - flower SKIT-yoo-la
Pterostylis	serotina sp. ‘The Knoll’	Late Bird Orchid	p sep down	11 nov	late flowering se-roh-TEE-nuh
Pterostylis	setulosa sp. ‘inland’	Hairy-stemmed Snail Orchid	p sep up	08 aug	having little bristles - the stem set-yoo-LO-sa
Pterostylis	sigmoidea sp. ‘Greenbushes’	Sinuous Bird Orchid	p sep down	10 oct	sigma - “S” shaped flower sig-MOY-dee-uh
Pterostylis	sinuata	Northampton Midget Greenhood	p sep down	08 aug	strongly waved - leaves. (Orig.col., Stan Fink, Vic., 1978.)
Pterostylis	spathulata	Spoon-lipped Rufous Greenhood	p sep down	09 sep	spoon shaped - labellum
Pterostylis	telmata sp. ‘Cape Arid’	Eastern Swamp Snail Orchid	p sep up	09 sep	swampy, marshy - habitat tel-MAH-ta
Pterostylis	timothyi	Brittle Snail Orchid	p sep up	08 aug	Timothy David Jones - David Jones son. Canberra
Pterostylis	tryphera sp. ‘dainty brown’	Dainty Brown Rufous Greenhood	p sep down	10 oct	dainty - flowers tree-FER-ah
Pterostylis	turfosa	Bearded Bird Orchid	p sep down	10 oct	swampy, marshy - habitat
Pterostylis	tylosa sp. ‘Chudalup’	Mt Chudalup Snail Orchid	p sep up	09 sep	Currently know from a single granite rock south of Northcliffe
Pterostylis	virens sp. ‘green flowers'	Green Spoon-lipped Rufous Greenhood	p sep down	09 sep	green - flower colour VY-renz
Pterostylis	vittata	Banded Greenhood	p sep down	06 jun	striped longitudinally - pattern on the flower
Pterostylis	voigtii sp. ‘miniature’	Eastern Granite Snail Orchid	p sep up	08 aug	Don Voight, orig.col., Esperance orchid enthusiast. voy-tee-eye
Pterostylis	xerampelina zer-am-pel-EE-nuh	Eastern Granite Rufous Greenhood	p sep down	10 oct	reddish brown - flower colour
Pterostylis	zebrina sp. ‘striped’	Striped Rufous Greenhood	p sep down	09 sep	zebra-striped - flowers zeb-REE-na
Pyrorchis	forrestii	Pink Fire Orchid *		11 nov	Sir John Forrest (1847-1918), orig.col., explorer, 1st Premier of WA. 1890.
Pyrorchis	nigricans	Red Fire Orchid *		08 aug	blackens after maturity
Rhizanthella	gardneri	Underground Orchid		05 may	Charles Austin Gardner (1896-1970), Government Botanist WA. (Orig.col., Farmer John Trott of Corrigin 1928.)
Rhizanthella	johnstonii	Southern Underground Orchid		06 jun	Lionel Johnston - helped resolve the distributional status of this new taxon.
Spiculaea	ciliata	Elbow Orchid		11 nov	fringed with fine hairs - the labellum
Thelymitra	antennifera	Lemon-scented Sun Orchid	t yellow	08 aug	antennae + bearing - column lobes
Thelymitra	apiculata	Cleopatra's Needles	t sheba	06 jun	small points - on the column lobes. (Orig.cols., Mogumber Primary School students, 1965.)
Thelymitra	benthamiana	Leopard Orchid	t star	10 oct	George Bentham (1800-1884), English botanist and author. (Orig.col., James Drummond, 1840's.)
Thelymitra	campanulata	Shirt Orchid	t blue	09 sep	bell shaped - cupped flowers
Thelymitra	canaliculata	Blue Sun Orchid	t blue	11 nov	channeled, grooved - markings on petals and sepals
Thelymitra	cornicina	Lilac Sun Orchid	t blue	09 sep	horn shaped - column
Thelymitra	crinita	Blue Lady Orchid	t blue	10 oct	hairy - tufted crest on column mid lobe
Thelymitra	cucullata	Swamp Sun Orchid	t swamp	10 oct	hooded - formed by dorsal sepal
Thelymitra	dedmaniarum	Cinnamon Sun Orchid	t star	11 nov	Carlotta Maud Dedman & daughter Winifred Hilda Dedman, type collectors of the species. (Orig.col., B.T.Goadby, 1934.)
Thelymitra	fasciculata	Swamp Lilac Sun Orchid	t blue	09 sep	clustered - flower arrangement
Thelymitra	flexuosa	Twisted Sun Orchid	t yellow	09 sep	undulating, curvy - flower stem
Thelymitra	frenchii	Scarp Sun Orchid	t blue	10 oct	Chris French, WA orchid expert, author. Recognised the species as distinct.
Thelymitra	fuscolutea	Chestnut Sun Orchid	t star	12 dec	brown and yellow-flowered. (Orig.col., Ferdinand Bauer, 1802.)
Thelymitra	graminea	Shy Sun Orchid	t blue	10 oct	grass-like - leaves
Thelymitra	granitora	Coastal Sun Orchid	t blue	09 sep	on granite - habitat
Thelymitra	jacksonii	Jackson's Sun Orchid	t star	12 dec	Bill Jackson, orig.col., 1988, orchid enthusiast, amatuer naturalist.
Thelymitra	latiloba	Wandoo Shirt Orchid	t blue	09 sep	broad lobed - column lobes
Thelymitra	macrophylla	Scented Sun Orchid	t blue	09 sep	large + leaf. (Orig.col., James Drummond, 1839.)
Thelymitra	maculata	Eastern Curly Locks	t curly	08 aug	spotted - blotched flowers
Thelymitra	magnifica	Crystal Brook Star Orchid	t star	10 oct	noble, eminent - large, colourful flowers
Thelymitra	mucida	Plum Orchid	t blue	10 oct	mouldy - bloom on column
Thelymitra	occidentalis	Azure Sun Orchid	t blue	10 oct	of the west - Western Australian distribution
Thelymitra	paludosa	Plain Sun Orchid	t blue	11 nov	swampy, marshy - habitat
Thelymitra	petrophila	Granite Sun Orchid	t blue	09 sep	rock + loving - granite habitat
Thelymitra	porphyrosticta	Southern Queen of Sheba	t sheba	09 sep	purple + spotted - flower colour
Thelymitra	psammophila	Sandplain Sun Orchid	t yellow	09 sep	sand loving - sandplain habitat
Thelymitra	pulcherrima	Northern Queen of Sheba	t sheba	08 aug	beautiful - flower colour
Thelymitra	sargentii	Freckled Sun Orchid	t yellow	10 oct	Oswald Hewlett Sargent (1880-1952), orchid enthusiast.
Thelymitra	speciosa	Eastern Queen of Sheba	t sheba	08 aug	showy, spectacular - flower colouring
Thelymitra	spiralis	Curly Locks	t curly	08 aug	spiral - leaf
Thelymitra	stellata	Star Orchid	t star	10 oct	star - flower shape. (Orig.col., James Drummond, 1839.)
Thelymitra	tigrina	Tiger Orchid	t yellow	12 dec	like a tigrina - a small spotted cat
Thelymitra	uliginosa	Southern Curly Locks	t curly	08 aug	swampy, marshy - habitat
Thelymitra	variegata	Queen of Sheba	t sheba	08 aug	variegated - flower colouration
Thelymitra	villosa vil-OH-suh	Custard Orchid	t yellow	10 oct	hairy - leaves
Thelymitra	vulgaris vul-GAIR-iss	Slender Sun Orchid	t blue	09 sep	common
Thelymitra	xanthotricha zan-tho-TRY-kuh	Yellow Tufted Sun Orchid	t blue	09 sep	yellow + hairs - column lobes
Thelymitra	yorkensis yor-KEN-sis	York Sun Orchid	t star	11 nov	Town of York - where type collection was made. (Orig.col., Les Robson, 1991.)

Named Hybrids

(Not included: 30 distinct unnamed hybrids)

Genus	species	Common Name	sub group	best month	parentage	The Vocabulary of Orchids - Hybrids
Caladenia x	aestantha	Summer Spider Orchid	club sep white	12 dec	C. corenephora C. serotina	summer + flower - flowering period
Caladenia x	cala	Wheatbelt Spider Orchid	green white	09 sep	C. falcata C. longicauda	beautiful - flower
Caladenia x	coactescens	Northern Sandplain Spider Orchid	club sep white	08 aug	C. crebra C. longicauda	felted - small labellum calli
Caladenia x	eludens	Elusive Spider Orchid	wispy white	09 sep	C. chapmanii C. splendens	avoid, evade - extreme rarity
Caladenia x	enigma	Enigmatic Spider Orchid	dragon white	09 sep	C. barbarossa C. longicauda	puzzle - confusion whether a hybrid
Caladenia x	ericksoniae	Prisoner Orchid	wispy crested	08 aug	C. filifera C. pachychila	Rica Erickson (1908-2009), author, botanical artist, naturalist.
Caladenia x	erminea	Dusky Fairy	fairy fairy	09 sep	C. flava C. marginata	cream, yellow tinge - flower
Caladenia x	exoleta	Dark-tipped Spider Orchid	crested wispy	08 aug	C. roei C. dimidia	robust, mature - labellum calli
Caladenia x	exserta	Protruding Spider Orchid	white white	09 sep	C. longicauda C. uliginosa	protruding - labellum
Caladenia x	hypata	Southern Forest Spider Orchid	green white	09 sep	C. lobata C. longicauda	highest - large, beautiful flowers
Caladenia x	idiastes	Cerise Spider Orchid	white fairy	09 sep	C. gardneri C. latifolia	distinct - flower structure
Caladenia x	lavandulacea	Lavender Spider Orchid	club tep	09 sep	unknown parentage	lavender - flower colour
Caladenia x	ornata	Ornate Spider Orchid	wispy dragon	09 sep	C. exilis C. drakeoides	ornate - labellum lobes and colour
Caladenia x	resupina	Bent Spider Orchid	other wispy	10 oct	C. multiclavia C. polychroma	bent back - dorsal sepal and column
Caladenia x	spectabilis	Spectacular Spider Orchid	fairy fairy	08 aug	C. flava C. latifolia	spectacular - flower
Caladenia x	suffusa	Tinged Spider Orchid	fairy white	08 aug	C. hirta C. longicauda	tinged - white flower tinged with pink
Caladenia x	triangularis	Shy Spider Orchid	fairy white	08 aug	C. flava C. longicauda	triangular - labellum shape
Caladenia x	tryphera	Delicate Spider Orchid	wispy wispy	08 aug	C. microchila C. sigmoidea	dainty - delicate flower
Elythranthera x	intermedia	Intermediate Enamel Orchid		10 oct	E. emarginata E. brunonis	intermediate - between parent species

References

Books

1984, 1998, 2011, 2019
Orchids of South~West Australia by Noel Hoffman and Andrew Brown

2013
Field Guide to the Orchids of Western Australia by Andrew Brown, Kingsley Dixon, Chris French and Garry Brockman

2014
Identification and Ecology of Southwest Australian Orchids by Mark Brundrett

Websites

FloraBase the Western Australian Flora

The Orchids of Western Australia by Noel Hoffman

c. 250 species photographed. Easy navigation.

Orchids of South-West Australia by Justin

c. 200 species photographed, information and identification.

West Australian Orchids by EMILY H. PELLOE - 1930

Australian Plant Collectors and Illustrators 1780's - 1980's

RON HEBERLE ORCHID PHOTOS - Western Australia

The Species Orchid Society of Western Australia

Pronunciation and Etymology

The Vocabulary of Orchids An Amatuer Perspective by Allen B Martin.

1 downloadable PDF - 25,000 entries.

I have tried to translate as literally as possible and give you as accurately as I can, the meaning and/or etymological explanation of the individual words concerned and with most, I try to give an example of its use, creating a useful reference.

Welcome to Botanary, the Botanical Dictionary - Dave's Garden

A reference containing an alphabetical list of 21,261 botanical words, with information given for each word, usually including the etymology (i.e., history and/or origin) and pronunciation.

Guide to the Pronunciation of Specific, Generic and Family Names

Southern California Wildflowers. About 2500 species, one list.

Orchid Galleries

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