Kangaroo Island spider-orchid

Scientific name: Caladenia ovata

National status (EPBC Act 1999): Endangered

South Australian status: (NPW Act 1972): Endangered

Description:

Annual terrestrial orchid emerging in spring with a single hairy leaf to 7 cm long. Usually one, rarely two, red or maroon and sometime yellow flowers to 30 cm high. Flowering between September and October.

Distribution:

Endemic to South Australia and restricted to Kangaroo Island and the Fleurieu Peninsula. On Kangaroo Island it grows on lateritic soils in open areas mainly within Eucalyptus cneorifolia mallee woodland.

Specific threats:

Threats contributing to the decline of Caladenia ovata include vegetation clearance and habitat loss, over-browsing by macropods (kangaroos and wallabies), lack of pollinators, inappropriate fire regimes (lack of fire), climate change and declining genetic viability due to a small and fragmented population.