Scientific Name
Caleana major R.Br.
Common Names
Flying Duck Orchid, Duck Orchid, Larger Caleana, Large Duck Orchid
Synonyms
Caleya major
Scientific Classification
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Caleana
Flower
Color: Reddish-brown
Bloom Time: September to January
Description
Caleana major is a terrestrial orchid, up to 20 inches (50 cm) tall. The single leaf is usually prostrate, narrow-lanceolate, up to 5 inches (12.5 cm) long and up to 0.3 inch (8 mm) wide, often spotted, and appears near the base of the stalk. The flower is reddish-brown, up to 0.8 inch (2 cm) long. Flowering occurs from September to January.
How to Grow and Care
Use of Flying Duck Orchids in gardens is not recommended, unless they already occur naturally, in which case they need to be protected. Removing Caleana major from the bush usually results in their death and further depletes remaining wild orchid populations. Plants flower for one or sometimes two years but progressively weaken until they die.
Growing Conditions: Well drained soil in open forest and woodlands. Full sun, semi shade.
Origin
Native to New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.
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