Fine Haired Caladenia

Caladenia capillata is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb which often grows in clumps. It has an underground tuber and a single, very hairy, narrow linear leaf, 10–20 cm (4–8 in) long and 3–6 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. There are up to three, sometimes four flowers borne on a slender, very hairy spike 5–15 cm (2–6 in) high. The dorsal and lateral sepals and the petals are greyish cream to creamy white, sometimes with reddish streaks, 3–7 cm (1–3 in) long, about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide at the base and taper to a long, thread-like tip. All are covered with glandular hairs and have drooping tips. The labellum is 4.5–6 mm (0.18–0.24 in) long, about 4 mm (0.2 in) wide and egg-shaped when flattened. The labellum has many short, broad teeth along its edge and there are two rows of flattened calli in its centre. This species is similar to Caladenia filamentosa but is usually not as tall and the flowers not as red as those of that species. Flowering occurs from August to November.

This caladenia grows in north-western Victoria in mallee scrub and in heath, malle or light scrub in rocky places in South Australia.

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