This page is dedicated to Western Australian Orchids I have personally seen and photographed in the wild.
Orchid hunting isn’t for the faint of heart. One must be ready to:
- drive long distances
- deal with the heat
- deal with the cold and wind
- be prepared with boots in case there is deep waters
- look out for snakes
- get attacked by inch ants
- be prepared to bring home a few ticks on your person
- Slither like a soldier on the ground on your elbows to get the right shot
- carry heavy camera gear to be ready for any type of shot (because while looking for orchids, you could spot a bird!)
- read maps and mud maps
- have razor sharp vision to find almost invisible and very small plants (I call this orchid eyes)
- drive to a far away site three times over three weekends in hopes the sun has been out long enough to finally open that sun orchid you spotted a while back, only to discover it’s been pollinated and now done for.
- learn their common names and their scientific names
- learn how to distinguish between their species, like knowing the difference between The Lonely Hammer and the Late Hammer Orchid (time of year). Since the Lonely Hammer is rare, it’s likely the Late Hammer anyway.
- learn the parts of an orchid
- realize that some Western Australian orchids don’t even resemble a flower at first glance
- always look and photograph the leaves to help identify what you have found!
And now to our discoveries. (Click on the images to see the picture larger)
![](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/duck4-620x411.jpg)
Flying Duck Orchid
Paracaleana nigrita
Found off Brookton Hwy
October
![King-in-his-carriage Drakaea glyptodon](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/kinginhiscarriage-620x413.jpg)
King-in-his-carriage
Drakaea glyptodon
Herron Area
October
![Warty Hammer Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/nan14.jpg)
Warty Hammer Orchid
Drakaea livida
Nannup Area
September
![Narrow-lipped Hammer Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/sp9-620x400.jpg)
Narrow-lipped Hammer Orchid
Drakaea thynniphila
Off Caves Road
September
![Pink Enamel Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/pinkenamelorchid.jpg)
Pink Enamel Orchid
Elythranthera emarginata
Herron Area
October
![Purple Enamel Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/k10.jpg)
Purple Enamel Orchid
Elythranthera brunonis
Kojonup Area
October
![Common Donkey Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ride2.jpg)
Common Donkey Orchid
Diuris corymbosa
Dunsborough Area
September
![Bee orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/bee3.jpg)
Bee Orchid
Diuris laxiflora
Udamung Reserve
September
![Mini Donkey orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/donkey2-620x413.jpg)
Mini Donkey Orchid
Diuris recurva
Candy’s Bush Reserve, Moora, WA
August
![Winter Donkey Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/donkey3.jpg)
Winter Donkey Orchid
Diuris brumalis
Perth Hills
July
![Arrowsmith Pansy Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/arrowsmithpansyorchid.jpg)
Arrowsmith Pansy Orchid
Diuris tinkerii
Eneabba
August
![Queen of Sheba](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/qos2.jpg)
Northern Queen of Sheba
Thelymitra pulcherrima
Eneabba
August
![Scented Sun Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/both2.jpg)
Scented Sun Orchid
Thelymitra macrophylla
Udamung Reserve
September
![Leopard orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/berry2.jpg)
Leopard Orchid
Thelymitra benthamiana
Manea Park
November
![Blue Lady](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/bluelady.jpg)
Blue Lady
Thelymitra crinita
Drummund Reserve
September
![Red Sun Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/red3.jpg)
Red Sun Orchid
Thelymitra x macmillanii
Udamung Reserve
September
![Lemon Scented Sun Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/wh12.jpg)
Lemon Scented Sun Orchid
Thelymitra antennifera
Wongan Hills
September
![Shirt Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/shirt2.jpg)
Shirt Orchid
Thelymitra campanulata
Wongan Hills
September
![Dragon Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/dragon5.jpg)
Dragon Orchid
Caladenia barbarossa
Foxes Lair
October
![Bearded Bird Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/beardedbirdorchid.jpg)
Bearded Bird Orchid
Pterostylis turfosa
Bunbury
October
![Frog Greenhood](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/froggreenhood.jpg)
Frog Greenhood
Pterostylis sargentii
Brookton Highway
September
![Painted Rufous Greenhood](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/greenhood3.jpg)
Painted Rufous Greenhood
Pterostylis picta
Wongan Hills Area
October
![Slender Snail Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/nan12.jpg)
Slender Snail Orchid
Pterostylis sp. ‘slender’
Nannup Area
September
![Hairy-stemmed Snail Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/w25.jpg)
Hairy-stemmed Snail Orchid
Pterostylis sp. ‘hairy’
Watheroo
September
![Short-eared Snail Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ls9-1-620x413.jpg)
Short-eared Snail Orchid
Pterostylis sp. ‘short sepals’
Lightning Swamp
September
![Pterostylis sanguinea](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/bandedgreenhood.jpg)
Dark Banded Greenhood
Pterostylis sanguinea
West of York
September
![](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/northerngreenhood.jpg)
Northern Banded Greenhood
Pterostylis sp. ‘northern’
Mogumber Road
June
![Jug Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/nan10.jpg)
Jug Orchid
Pterostylis recurva
Nannup Area
September
![Common Mignonette Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/manea7.jpg)
Common Mignonette Orchid
Microtis media
Manea Park, Bunbury
September
![Rattle Beaks](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/rattlebeaks.jpg)
Rattle Beaks
Lyperanthus serratus
Wireless Hill, Perth
September
![Red Beaks](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/sunday3.jpg)
Red Beaks
Pyrorchis nigricans
Neaves Rd, after a burn
September
![The Green Spider Orchid (also known as the Fringed Mantis Orchid)](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/fringedmantis.jpg)
The Green Spider Orchid (also known as the Fringed Mantis Orchid)
Caladenia falcata
Brookton Highway
September
![Ant Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/drive11.jpg)
Ant Orchid
Caladenia roei
Buntine Rock
September
![Brookton Highway Cowslip](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/brooktonhighwaycowslip.jpg)
Brookton Highway Cowslip
Caladenia flava subsp. ‘late red’
Brookton Highway
Late September
![Caladenia flava](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ride1.jpg)
Cowslip
Caladenia flava
Dunsborough Area
September
![Caladenia latifolia](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ride3.jpg)
Pink Fairy Orchid
Caladenia latifolia
Dunsborough Area
September
![Dwarf Pink Fairy](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/littlepinkf-620x768.jpg)
Dwarf Pink Fairy
Caladenia reptans
Brookton Hwy
August
![Leaping Spider Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/mp3.jpg)
Leaping Spider Orchid
Caladenia macrostylis
Manea Park
September
![White Spider Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/manea9.jpg)
White Spider Orchid
Caladenia longicauda
Manea Park, Bunbury
September
![](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/watheroo4.jpg)
Moora Spider Orchid
Caladenia exilis ssp. vanleeuwenii
Watheroo
August
![Primrose Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/primrosespider.jpg)
Primrose Spider Orchid
Caladenia xantha
Brookton Highway
August
![stark white spider orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/starkwhite.jpg)
Stark White Spider Orchid
Caladenia longicauda subsp. eminens
Brookton Highway
September
![Blood spider orchids](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/bloods4.jpg)
Blood Spider Orchid
Caladenia filifera
Brookton Highway
August
![Carousel Spider Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/carouselspider.jpg)
Carousel Spider Orchid
Caladenia arenicola
Wireless Hill, Perth
September
![Caladenia drummondii](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/tood3.jpg)
Winter Spider Orchid
Caladenia drummondii
Toodyay Area
May
![Rusty Spider Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/sp3.jpg)
Scott River Spider Orchid
Caladenia thinicola
Yallingup
September
![Yellow Spider Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/wh15.jpg)
Yellow Spider Orchid
Caladenia denticulata subsp. denticulata
Wongon Hills
Septamber
![Noble Spider Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/j4.jpg)
Noble Spider Orchid
Caladenia nobilis
Johnston Road
September
![Drooping Spider Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/droopingspiderorchid.jpg)
Drooping Spider Orchid
Caladenia radialis
Eneabba
August
![Dancing Spider Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/c8.jpg)
Dancing Spider Orchid
Caladenia discoidea
Rica Erickson Reserve
September
![Crimson Spider Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/w24.jpg)
Crimson Spider Orchid
Caladenia footeana
Watheroo
September
![Tall Leek Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/s3.jpg)
Tall Leek Orchid
Prasophyllum elatum
Johnston Rd
October
![Prasophyllum cyphochilum](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/k18.jpg)
Pouched Leek Orchid
Prasophyllum cyphochilum
Kojonup Area
October
![Autumn Leek Orchid Prasophyllum parvifolium Mongumber Road June](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/autumnleekorchid.jpg)
Autumn Leek Orchid
Prasophyllum parvifolium
Mongumber Road
June
![Laughing Leek Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/laughingleekorchid.jpg)
Laughing Leek Orchid
Prasophyllum macrostachyum
Tammin Railway Dam Reserve
October
![Little Laughing Leek Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/drive14.jpg)
Little Laughing Leek Orchid
Prasophyllum gracile
Buntine Rock Area
September
![Yawning Leek Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/yawningleekorchid.jpg)
Yawning Leek Orchid
Prasophyllum hians
Rica Erickson Reserve
September
![Sugar Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/sugarorchid.jpg)
Sugar Orchid
Ericksonella saccharata
West of York
September
![Blue Fairy Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/bluefairy.jpg)
Blue Fairy Orchid
Pheladenia deformis
West of York
Early September
![Common Bunny Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/tood2.jpg)
Common Bunny Orchid
Eriochilus dilatatus
Toodyay Area
May
![Pygmy Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2a.jpg)
Pygmy Orchid
Corunastylis tepperi
West of Corrigin
April
![](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2.jpg)
Hare Orchid
Leporella fimbriata
Boranup-Caves Road
April
![Rabbit Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/j12.jpg)
Rabbit Orchid
Leptoceras menziesii
Johnston Road
September
![Slipper Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4-620x377.jpg)
Slipper Orchid
Cryptostylis ovata
Boranup-Caves Road
April
![Silky Blue Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/c22.jpg)
Silky Blue Orchid
Cyanicula sericea
Drummund Reserve
September
![](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/w22.jpg)
Blue China Orchid
Cyanicula gemmata
Watheroo
September
![Wandoo Beard Orchid](http://www.xerraireart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/d25-620x434.jpg)
Wandoo Beard Orchid
Calochilus stramenicola
Dryandra
October