A Rare New Caladenia species from central Victoria, and its relationship with other recently described taxa in south-eastern Australia

Abstract

Caladenia xanthochila D. et C. Beardsell is a pale yellow orchid related to Caladenia reticulata FitzG. and Caladenia flavovirens G. Carr, but differs in its smaller flowers, early flowering period, small sections of contiguous purple osmophore glands on sepals, short (0–1.3mm) teeth on the labellum margin, short labellum calli, uniformly pale greenish yellow colour, and extremely hairy ovary, stem and leaf. Its closest relative is C. stellata D. Jones from which it differs in having a wholly pale yellow labellum, swollen tips to the column glands, contiguous osmophore glands, mid-lobe of labellum with entire margin or with extremely short blunt calli, labellum more recurved, and longer trichomes on stem and ovary. Caladenia xanthochila is known from only two localities, one near Inglewood, the other at Murtoa, both in Victoria, and is thus on the verge of extinction.