Rosella Spider Orchid - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Caladenia rosella

Conservation status in NSW: Extinct

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Gazetted date: 13 Dec 2002

Profile last updated: 18 Oct 2022

Description

The Rosella Spider Orchid is characterised by five long spreading petals and sepals around a broad down-curled labellum (‘lip’). It has a single, hairy leaf (to 80 mm long and 8 mm wide) that has reddish spots and blotches near its base. The slender flower stems are up to 17 cm tall. The musk-scented flowers are pink in colour, and borne singly. The species may be differentiated from the somewhat similar Crimson Spider Orchid Caladenia concolor by the deep pink striations on its flower.

Distribution

The single NSW collection of the Rosella Spider Orchid (located in Albury) is undated, but is estimated to have been collected before 1896. Today the species is found near Melbourne in Victoria, but is listed as endangered because less than 200 plants are known to exist.

Habitat and ecology

In Victoria, the species is found in woodlands and low forests of Red Box (Eucalyptus polyanthemos), Long-leafed Box (E. goniocalyx) and Red Stringybark (E. macrorhyncha) in well-drained, skeletal soils.
Reproductive maturity is reached after three to five years, and is maintained for up to five years after.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

NSW South Western Slopes

Threats

In Victoria, weed invasion, grazing by introduced herbivores, urban encroachment and foraging by White-winged Choughs are regarded as threats to extant populations.
Until surviving populations of Rosella Spider Orchid are found in NSW, threats to the species are difficult to quantify.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Searches are required for developments in suitable habitat in the Albury and Greater Hume Shire.

Information sources

Backhouse, G.N. and Jeanes, J.A. (1995) The Orchids of Victoria. (The Meigunyah Press, Melbourne)
Bishop, T. (2000) Field Guide to the Orchids of New South Wales and Victoria. (New South Wales University Press, Sydney)
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2001) Recovery Plan for the 'lost' threatened flora of south-east NSW. (NSW NPWS, Hurstville NSW)
NSW Scientific Committee (2002) Caladenia rosella (a terrestrial orchid) - Presued extinct species determination - final.
Todd, J.A. (2000) Recovery Plan for twelve threatened Spider-orchid Caladenia taxa of Victoria and South Australia 2000 - 2004. (Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Melbourne)
Walsh, N.G. and Entwisle, T.J. (1994) Flora of Victoria. Volume 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons. (Inkata Press, Melbourne)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

NSW South Western Slopes

Inland Slopes

Predicted

None

Images

Rosella Spider Orchid Image 1 of 3.
View slideshow.

Related information

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