''Caladenia grampiana'', commonly known as the Grampians spider orchid is a plant in the orchid family

Orchidaceae Orchids are plants that belong to the family Orchidaceae (), a diverse and widespread group of flowering plants with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant. Along with the Asteraceae, they are one of the two largest families of flowering ...

and is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...

to the

Grampians National Park The Grampians National Park commonly referred to as The Grampians, is a national park located in the Grampians region of Victoria, Australia. The Jardwadjali name for the mountain range itself is Gariwerd. The national park is situated betwee ...

in Victoria. It is a ground orchid with a single hairy leaf and a one or two pale tawny-yellow or pinkish flowers similar to those of '' Caladenia oenochila''.

Description

''Caladenia grampiana'' is a terrestrial,

perennial A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the years") is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also wide ...

deciduous In the fields of horticulture and Botany, the term ''deciduous'' () means "falling off at maturity" and "tending to fall off", in reference to trees and shrubs that seasonally shed leaves, usually in the autumn; to the shedding of petals, aft ...

herb In general use, herbs are a widely distributed and widespread group of plants, excluding vegetables and other plants consumed for macronutrients, with savory or aromatic properties that are used for flavoring and garnishing food, for medicinal ...

with an underground tuber and a single hairy leaf, long and wide with a reddish base. One or two flowers borne on a spike tall. The

sepal A sepal () is a part of the flower of angiosperms (flowering plants). Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom., p. 106 The term ''sepalum'' was coined b ...

s long, wide and pale tawny-yellow or pinkish with drooping tips. The

petal Petals are modified Leaf, leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They are often advertising coloration, brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. All of the petals of a flower are collectively known as the ''c ...

s are similar to the sepals but shorter. The labellum is long, wide and curves forward with the tip rolled downwards and the sides turned upwards. It is cream to red with linear teeth long along its sides and four or six rows of calli along its mid-line. Flowering occurs in August or September.

Taxonomy and naming

The species was first formally described by David L. Jones in 2006 and given the name ''Arachnorchis grampiana''. The description was published in ''Australian Orchid Research''. In 2007, Gary Backhouse changed the name to ''Caladenia grampiana'' and the change was published in ''The Victorian Naturalist''.

Distribution and habitat

''Caladenia grampiana'' is only known from the Grampians National Park where it grows in heathy woodland in well-drained soil.

Conservation

This species is classified as "vulnerable" by the Victorian government. and is listed under the ''

Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 The ''Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988'', also known as the ''FFG Act'', is an act of the Victorian Government designed to protect species, genetic material and habitats, to prevent extinction and allow maximum genetic diversity within the Au ...

''.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q15437869 grampiana Plants described in 2006 Endemic orchids of Australia Orchids of Victoria (state) Taxa named by David L. Jones (botanist)