Caladenia anthracina

Description

Caladenia anthracina is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber surrounded by a fibrous covering. A single hairy, dull green, lance-shaped leaf, 5–12 cm (2–5 in) long and 3–7 mm (0.1–0.3 in) wide appears above ground in May or June, following rain. A single flower, 45–65 mm (2–3 in) in diameter is borne on a densely spike 10–20 cm (4–8 in) high. The dorsal sepal is erect, linear to oblong, 35–55 mm (1–2 in) long, 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) wide and tapers near the end to a thick, black tip. The lateral sepals are lance-shaped, 35–55 mm (1–2 in) long, 3.5–5 mm (0.14–0.20 in) wide and taper towards a black tip similar to the one on the dorsal sepal. The petals are 35–45 mm (1–2 in) long, 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) wide and also taper to a black point. The labellum is a broadly egg-shaped when flattened and curves forward, 13–16 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long and 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide and is strongly curved towards the tip. It is white to cream-coloured and there are four to six rows of dark reddish-purple calli along in the centre part and short, blunt teeth along the edge. The column is 13–15 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long and translucent with reddish markings and narrow wings. Flowering occurs between late September and early November.