Stirling Range National Park Native OrchidsCaladenia barbarossa (Dragon Orchid) Cryptostylis ovata (Slipper Orchid) Caladenia polychroma (Joseph’s Spider Orchid) Caladenia pulchra (Slender Spider Orchid) Drakaea glyptodon (King-in-his-carriage Orchid) Elythranthera emarginata (Pink Enamel Orchids) Leptoceras menziesii (Rabbit Orchid) Praecoxanthus aphyllus (Leafless Orchid) Thelymitra speciosa (Eastern Queen of Sheba’s)
— see Orchidaceae (Orchids)
The Slipper Orchid (Cryptostylis ovata) gets its name from the slipper-like shape of the flower. Other common names include the Western Tongue Orchid and the Egg-shaped Cryptostylis. This orchid is a summer flowering species, endemic to Western Australia.
The Cryptostylis ovata is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb and is usually found growing in colonies, although not all plants will necessarily flower in the same year. The orchid has dark green leaves (that can be seen throughout the year). The leaves have a white central vein and the flower stem, which can grow up to 70 cm high, can have up to fifteen flowers. The flowers are a pale greenish colour, with a brownish-red labellum and a network of darker coloured veins.
- Scientific classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Tracheophyta
- Subphylum: Angiospermae
- Class: Liliopsida
- Order: Asparagales
- Family: Orchidaceae
- Subfamily: Orchidoideae
- Tribe: Diurideae
- Subtribe: Cryptostylidinae
- Genus: Cryptostylis
- Species: Cryptostylis ovata
Footnote & References
- Cryptostylis ovata (Slipper Orchid), Stirling Range National Park WA. Photographs © Terry Dunham
- Caladenia serotina Hopper & A.P.Br., Christmas Spider Orchid, Atlas of Living Australia, https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://id.biodiversity.org.au/taxon/apni/51399347
- Slipper Orchid (Cryptostylis ovata), iNaturalistAU, https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/taxa/550012-Cryptostylis-ovata
- Cryptostylis ovata R.Br., Slipper Orchid, Western Australian Herbarium (1998–). Florabase—the Western Australian Flora. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, https://florabase.dbca.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/1627
- Cryptostylis ovata, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptostylis_ovata
Stirling Range National Park Native OrchidsCaladenia barbarossa (Dragon Orchid) Cryptostylis ovata (Slipper Orchid) Caladenia polychroma (Joseph’s Spider Orchid) Caladenia pulchra (Slender Spider Orchid) Drakaea glyptodon (King-in-his-carriage Orchid) Elythranthera emarginata (Pink Enamel Orchids) Leptoceras menziesii (Rabbit Orchid) Praecoxanthus aphyllus (Leafless Orchid) Thelymitra speciosa (Eastern Queen of Sheba’s)
Stirling Range National Park FloraAnigozanthos rufus (Red Kangaroo Paw) Banksia aculeata (Prickly Banksia) Banksia oreophila (Mountain Banksia) Banksia sphaerocarpa var sphaerocarpa (Fox Banksia) Darwinia wittwerorum (Wittwer’s Mountain Bell) Daviesia oppositifolia (Rattle-pea) Eucalyptus preissiana (Bell-fruited Mallee) Eucalyptus macrandra (Long-flowered Marlock) Eucalyptus uncinata (Hook-leaved Mallee) Hakea lehmanniana (Blue Hakea) Native Orchids
Stirling Range National ParkFauna Flora Landscape
Western AustraliaThe Batavia Coast and Midwest WA Bungle Bungles – Purnululu National Park Great Southern WA Stirling Range National Park