Caleana major
R. Br.
Large duck orchid
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(c) Connor Margetts, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Connor Margetts
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(c) Parks Victoria, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
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(c) Tim Bawden, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Tim Bawden
Summary
Source: WikipediaCaleana major, commonly known as the large duck orchid, is a small orchid found in eastern and southern Australia. This terrestrial plant features a remarkable flower, resembling a duck in flight. The flower is an attractant to insects, such as male sawflies which pollinate the flower in a process known as pseudocopulation. In 1986 this orchid was featured on an Australian postage stamp. Caleana major is the emblem of the Latrobe Valley Field Naturalists Club.
Description
A small orchid. There is a thin narrow leaf. The flower stem is 20-40 cm tall. The flowers are 1 cm across and dark red brown with green sepals.
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Edible Uses
The tubers, roots, and leaves are listed as edible portions.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. It grows in swampy heath and woodland.
Where It Grows
Australia, Tasmania,
Notes
It is a protected species.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Flying duck orchid
References (3)
- Caton, J.M. & Hardwick, R. J., 2016, Field Guide to Useful Native Plants from Temperate Australia. Harbour Publishing House. p 82
- Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 20
- Steenbeeke, Greg as part of the Plants Directory project. List of plant species from northern NSW that may be used as food plants p 13
