Caladenia dilatata (Orchidaceae): Green Comb Spider Orchid

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Taken at Wonthaggi, 29th September 2003.

There are several very similar-looking green comb spider orchids which now are collectively known as the "dilatata complex". This suggests correctly that a fair amount of controversy surrounds the naming of the various species. So it is no doubt with this picture. The description of dilatata says that it flowers from October to January. Ours is just 2 days earlier than this range. Not too bad yet. Its "known" distribution does not include Wonthaggi, but the description also admits to a likely wider distribution. Not too good now. But the clincher to me is that dilatata is the only green comb spider to have yellowish brown osmophores on the tips of both petals and sepals. In our picture the one lateral petal visible (pointing downward toward the rear) is clearly endowed with the osmophore demanded by dilatata's description. So that's that.