Caladenia praecox

Caladenia praecox, commonly known as early caladenia[2] or early caps[3] is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It is a ground orchid with a single leaf and up to four white flowers which are often tinged with green or pink.

Early caladenia
Caladenia praecox growing near Clonbinane
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Caladenia
Species:
C. praecox
Binomial name
Caladenia praecox
Synonyms[1]
  • Caladenia testacea var. praecox (Nicholls) Nicholls
  • Caladenia angustata Lindl.
  • Caladenia dimorpha Fitzg.
  • Stegostyla praecox (Nicholls) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.

Description

Caladenia praecox is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single leaf, 60–120 mm (2–5 in) long and 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) wide. Up to four white flowers which are often tinged with green or pink, are borne on a spike 60–130 mm (2–5 in) tall. The backs of the sepals and petals have dark red glandular hairs. The dorsal sepal is 9–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long, 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide and curves forward, forming a hood over the column. The lateral sepals are 11–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide and spread apart. The petals are 9–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long, about 3 mm (0.1 in) wide and spread widely. The labellum is white, often with red marks and is 6–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) wide. The sides of the labellum turn upwards and have stalked teeth and the tip is curled under. There are four or six rows of crowded calli in the mid-line of the labellum. Flowering occurs from August and October.[3][2][4]

Taxonomy and naming

Caladenia praecox was first formally described in 1926 by William Nicholls and the description was published in The Victorian Naturalist.[1][5] The specific epithet (praecox) is a Latin word meaning "too early ripe" or "precocious".[6] Although recognised by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne as a valid name, C. praecox is regarded as a synonym of Caladenia dimorpha by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.[7]

Distribution and habitat

Caladenia praecox is widespread in Victoria especially in the Victorian goldfields and is often recorded from areas to the north-east of Melbourne, growing in open forest and woodland. In also occurs in the south-east of New South Wales.[3][2][8]

Conservation

Caladenia praecox is not listed under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.[2]

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References
  1. "Caladenia praecox". Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  2. Jeanes, Jeffrey. "Caladenia praecox". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria: Vicflora. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  3. Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. pp. 47–48. ISBN 1877069124.
  4. "Caladenia praecox". Yarra Ranges Shire Council. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  5. Nicholls, William Henry (1926). "A New Victorian Orchid". The Victorian Naturalist. 43: 156–158. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  6. Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 662.
  7. "Caladenia praecox". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  8. "Caladenia praecox". Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney:plantnet. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
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