Western Australian Orchids

Awesome orchids of Western Australia

Please note: I am not an expert at identifying flora and fauna species, my passion lies with locating, observing and photographing the amazing diversity of species on this wonderful planet we call home. Also, worth noting is that some species are still in the process of being reclassified, as scientist learn more about them and what makes them unique.

Bird Orchids Pterostylis - Perth Hills, Western Australia

Australian environment Flora Native orchids Photography western

Pyrorchis - Fire Orchids - Red Beaked Orchids - Elephant Ear Orchids

These orchids bloom following a summer bush fire, normally just their elephant-ear shaped leaf is visible. Unfortunately, in December 2019 a huge bush fire roared through more than 11,000 hectares of land north of Perth, scorching the earth bare. Nine months on and the orchids are blooming en masse, however, the other species are barely recovering. Some won't have survived the devastation.

Rattle Beaked Orchids - Lyperanthus serratus Lindl. - Wireless Hill Reserve, Ardross, WA

Spider Orchids - Caladenia

This genus contains some 240 species, the majority endemic to Australia. Studies are still being completed to correctly distinguish, name and classify many of the orchids in this genus. Some species will only flower following fire.

Dancing Spider Orchid - Antelope Orchid - Bee Orchid - Caladenia discoidea Lindl. - Wireless Hill Reserve, Ardross, WA

Spider Orchids - Lake Logue Nature Reserve

Carousel Spider Orchid - Caladenia arenicola - Wireless Hill Reserve, Ardross, WA

Kings Park, WA

Sugar Candy Orchid - Caladenia hirta Lindl. subsp hirta

Or I may be possibly confusing these with the

White Fairy Orchid - Caladenia marginata Lindl.

Note the dusky-brown hairs on the back of the petals.

(If you are an orchid expert, let me know what you think.)

Cowslip Orchids - Caladenia flava (with tiny native bee)

Pink Fairy Orchid - Caladenia latifolio R.Br.

Blue Beard - Blue Fairy Orchid - Pheladenia deformis - Near York

China Blue Orchids

Enamel Orchids - Elythranthera

Greenhood Orchids - Pterostylis

Dark Banded Greenhood Orchid - Pterostylis sanguinea

Jug Orchid - Recurved Shell Orchid - Pterostylis recurva Benth.

Short Eared Snail Orchids

Snail Orchids - Murdoch, WA

Yellow Sun Orchid - Thelymitra - Whistle Pipe Gully, WA

Leek Orchids - Prasophyllum R. Br.

Leek Orchid at Lake Logue Nature Reserve

Laughing Leek Orchid - Perenjori, WA

Mignonette Orchids - Onion Orchids - Microtis R.Br.

Mignonette Orchids - Bull Creek

Donkey Orchids - Diuris

First described by English Botanist Edward Smith in 1798, 50 species of Donkey Orchids have been named, with approximately half located in Western Australia. Apparently Donkey Orchids have neither perfume, nor nectar, but mimic the colours of other species flowering at the same time to encourage visits by pollinator bees.