Common name: Pink Fairy Orchid

Family: ORCHIDACEAE

Origin of Scientific Name

View image slideshow Caladenia - (Greek) calos - beautiful, and adenos - gland; referring to the conspicuous glands on the labellum.

latifolia - (Latin) broad leafed

Description

This small tuberous perennial herb, 20–45 cm high with hairy, bright green leaves is a favourite to spot in spring.  Flowering between August and October, the stems produce 1–4 stunning white/pink flowers about 1.5 cm across.

The Pink Fairy Orchid is common in coastal areas from the WA South Coast to Central West Coast, frequently forming colonies in deep leaf litter often associated with peppermint trees (Agonis flexuosa).

Horticultural tips

• Requires free draining soils.
• Susceptible to over-watering through summer irrigation which can cause the dormant tubers to rot.
• Proliferates in garden beds that have decomposed mulch and best left undisturbed.

For more horticultural tips view our Plant Notes section.

View in Kings Park

Visit Kings Park and Botanic Garden to see Caladenia latifolia throughout many garden beds in the Western Australian Botanic Garden, particularly within the Banksia garden bed.

Want more information?

Refer to the profile for this plant on the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions' FloraBase online herbarium.