Thick Lip Spider Orchid - profile

Indicative distribution

Loading map...

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 tessellata

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Gazetted date: 09 Aug 2024

Profile last updated: 09 Aug 2024

Description

The Thick Lip Spider Orchid is from a group of orchids characterised by five long spreading petals and sepals around a broad down-curled labellum (‘lip’). It has cream-coloured petals with reddish stripes, and the yellowish labellum is broad with a few darker stripes. The long, sparsely-hairy, narrow leaf is about 6 cm long and 5 mm wide. Column base with two prominent yellow glands.

Distribution

The Thick Lip Spider Orchid is known from the Sydney area (old records), Wyong, Ulladulla and Braidwood in NSW. Populations in Kiama and Queanbeyan are presumed extinct. It was also recorded in the Huskisson area in the 1930s. The species occurs on the coast in Victoria from east of Melbourne to almost the NSW border.

Habitat and ecology

Generally found in grassy sclerophyll woodland on clay loam or sandy soils, though the population near Braidwood is in low woodland with stony soil.
The single leaf regrows each year.
Flowers appear between September and November (but apparently generally late September or early October in extant southern populations).

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

At least two known sites have been lost due to clearing associated with urban development. This has probably also caused the destruction of many of the historical populations in the Sydney area.
At risk from catastrophic events because of small number of extant populations and low number of plants.
One population is at risk of disturbance due to track and works associated with powerline maintenance.
Possibly threatened by long-term absence of fire.
Browsing by macropods.
One site occurs on private land and whilst the current owners are very active in monitoring and protecting the species, there is a risk that future land owners may be less sympathetic to its protection.

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Survey for this species should be done for any developments in suitable habitat within the known range of the species in NSW but extending in coastal areas to the Victorian border.
Monitor all populations each year to determine trends in mortality and recruitment.

Information sources

Backhouse, G.N. and Jeanes, J.A. (1995) The Orchids of Victoria. (The Meigunyah Press, Melbourne)
Benson, D. and McDougall, L. (2005) Ecology of Sydney plant species: Part 10, Monocotyledon families Lemnaceae to Zosteraceae. Cunninghamia 9(1): 16-212
Bernhardt, P. (1993) Caladenia. Pp 196-209 in Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 4. (New South Wales University Press, Sydney)
Bishop, T. (2000) Field Guide to the Orchids of New South Wales and Victoria. (New South Wales University Press, Sydney)
Duncan, M. (2010) National Recovery Plan for the Thick-lip Spider-orchid Caladenia tessellata. (Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne)
NSW Scientific Committee (2002) Caladenia tessellata (a terrestrial orchid) - Endangered species determination - final.
NSW Scientific Committee (2008) Caladenia tessellata - Review of current information in NSW.
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

Other State	Jervis Bay Territory	Predicted	None
South East Corner	Bateman	Predicted	None
South East Corner	East Gippsland Lowlands	Known	None
South East Corner	South East Coastal Ranges	Predicted	None
South Eastern Highlands	Bungonia	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Monaro	Predicted	None
Sydney Basin	Cumberland	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Ettrema	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Jervis	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Pittwater	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Sydney Cataract	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wyong	Known	None

Images

Thick lip spider orchid, Braidwood area Image 1 of 7.
View slideshow.

Related information

Get involved

Report a sighting

Nature conservation

Threatened species