A Different Kind of Spider
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382104)
Rockingham, Australia
February 18, 2016 10:32pm CST
I recently posted a photo of an Australian kangaroo paw. I thought you might like to see our spider orchid too. Australia has a number of lovely wildflowers and a number of different orchid. You can see how the spider orchid got its name with the long petals like a Daddy-long-legs.
There are over 200 species belonging to the genus Caladenia. In 1810, Robert Brown was a member of Matthew Flinders' voyage that circumnavigated Australia. Brown was the first to describe the genus. They are small to medium terrestrial orchids. They are mostly found in the south with a few species in New Zealand and one in Indonesia, Malaysia and New Caledonia. The most varieties are found in the south-west of Western Australia.
Even if you don't like spiders, perhaps you could bring yourself to like this one?
21 people like this
23 responses
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Feb 16
@sueznewz2 Haha. I thought you'd like that!!
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
19 Feb 16
I'll take that flower over a real spider any day.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Feb 16
@AbbyGreenhill Did you see the photo I posted for him under his comment here?
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Feb 16
There are other colours around but this one was out our back gate.
@brokenbee (11937)
• Philippines
19 Feb 16
@JudyEv yes, I love seeing macrophotos of flowers. Is this a small flower?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Feb 16
@brokenbee I suppose it is perhaps 2 or 3 inches at its longest part. They vary a bit.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (40032)
• Toccoa, Georgia
20 Feb 16
I don't like spiders , but that is a lovely flower.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (40032)
• Toccoa, Georgia
20 Feb 16
@JudyEv Yes, it does have that look about it.
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
19 Feb 16
It is nice.... glad it wasn't a spider..... you have some interesting plants over there....
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
19 Feb 16
It's gorgeous. I would love to have some orchids growing in my gardens.
1 person likes this
@Ladypeace (2028)
• Singapore
19 Feb 16
Your Orchid is a real beauty. I'd be glad to have them just to look at.
1 person likes this
@Ladypeace (2028)
• Singapore
19 Feb 16
@JudyEv Are you referring to the Spider Lily Orchid? It's common here! Thanks for widening my vocabulary, I haven't got a clue what tendrils were.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Feb 16
@Ladypeace That's it! The first time I saw it in gardens along the street I thought it was just the prettiest thing. Obviously someone else thought it looked like a spider too. Glad I'm widening your vocabulary. I'll have to see what else I can come up with. 
2 people like this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
19 Feb 16
This is a really pretty orchid. I have never seen this or heard of it. Thanks for posting!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Feb 16
There are a number of varieties and hybrids now. We have a few in the bush behind our property but they can be hard to find.
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
19 Feb 16
I certainly could and do like this spider very much. Great photo, lovely detail, beautiful flower.
1 person likes this
@iamshane487 (1138)
• Manila, Philippines
19 Feb 16
I like Spiders and it's my first time to hear there's an Orchid Spider. Wow, indeed beautiful!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Feb 16
There are not too many people who like spiders. Glad you like the flower too.
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Feb 16
@Ladypeace has added a photo of the Spider Lily Orchid from Singapore which looks a bit like a spider too.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (24026)
• United Kingdom
19 Feb 16
I like all kinds of orchids. They are such a beautiful flower.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Feb 16
I like these but I'm not a great fan otherwise. Most don't have a scent either do they?
