Citation: R. Br., Prod. Fl. Nov. Holl. 324 (1810).

Synonymy: Caladenia elongata, Caladenia latifolia, Caladenia mollis

Common name: Pink fairies. (I11. Fitzgerald (1894)Australian orchids, vol. 2, pt 5; Hoffman & Brown (1984) Orchids of south-west Australia, p. 170.)

Description:
Moderately robust, hairy, 15-30 cm high; leaf very hairy, oblong-lanceolate, 4-10 cm long, 1-2 cm or more wide.

Flowers moderately large, pink or white, 1-4; perianth-segments lighter-coloured on the outside, glandular-hairy, spreading with the exception of the dorsal sepal; dorsal sepal oblong-lanceolate, erect, not very acute, c. 15 mm long; lateral sepals free or slightly adherent at the extreme base, equal to or slightly longer and wider than the dorsal one, oblong-lanceolate; petals elliptic-lanceolate; more contracted at the base, shorter and more acute than the other segments, 12-13 mm long; labellum pink or white, sessile, 6-7 mm long, deeply 3-partite; lateral lobes and base erect and clasping the column, the former oblong, obtuse, margins entire; middle lobe recurved, broadly lanceolate, its margins with a few blunt linear teeth; calli of the lamina linear or clavate, arranged semicircularly at or near the bend, or in 2 converging rows; column erect, 6-7 mm long, pubescent on the back, moderately winged throughout; anther with a very long point; pollinia 4, lamellate, a pair of deeply 2-lobed butterfly-shaped masses in each cell.

Distribution:  Forming small to large colonies by vegetative increase on coastal dunes, on limestone or less commonly inland on rocky hilltops or creek banks. S.Aust.: FR, EP, NL, MU, YP, SL, KI, SE.   W.Aust.; N.S.W.; Vic.; Tas. Conservation status: native Flowering time: Sept. — Oct.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: A putative hybrid has been reported with C. patersonii.

Author: Not yet available