Caleana Major Large Duck-Orchid

PLANT Caleana major Large Duck-orchid

AUS SA AMLR Endemism Life History Post-1983 AMLR filtered records are few but indicate - V V - Perennial isolated occurrences at Mount Billy CP, Hindmarsh Valley Reservoir, near Mount Compass, Kuitpo Forest, Family ORCHIDACEAE Mark Oliphant CP, near Mylor and Engelbrook Reserve, Bridgewater.3,5 Also recorded from private property at Tookayerta and near Mount Magnificent.6

Pre-1983 AMLR filtered records from Cleland, around Mount Compass, Kuitpo, Belair, Myponga and Greenhill.3

Habitat Forms sparse vegetative colonies in open forest and heathland (Eucalyptus baxteri forest and often associated with Banksia ornata), usually on sandy or gravelly soils.2,8 Forms small colonies often at the base of trees and generally found with smaller duck orchid species and more frequently seen after fires or at disturbed sites.1

Within the AMLR the preferred broad vegetation group is Heathy Woodland.3

Within the AMLR the species’ degree of habitat specialisation is classified as ‘High’.3

Photo: © Malcolm Houston Biology and Ecology Conservation Significance Flowers between late October and January.1 In SA, the majority of the distribution is confined within the AMLR, disjunct from the remaining extant Pollinated by sexually-attracted male sawflies. Despite distribution. the flowers remaining open for up to eight weeks, naturally pollinated flowers are rarely seen in SA.1 Within the AMLR the species’ relative area of occupancy is classified as ‘Very Restricted’. Plants will resprout from a tuber, however total fire scorch will kill in-soil seed reserve. Abundance is likely Relative to all AMLR extant species, the species' to be severely reduced by too frequent fires.4 taxonomic uniqueness is classified as ‘High’.3 Aboriginal Significance Description Post-1983 records indicate the AMLR distribution occurs Largest of the duck orchids.1 Leaf slender to 12 cm in southern Ngarrindjeri Nation and southern long and 8 mm wide, silvery green with red lines and Peramangk Nation (bordering eastern Kaurna Nation).3 spots above, or wholly red, purple-red below. Flowers are one to five, usually one or two in SA; to 25 mm Threats across, shiny red-brown and green resembling ducks Threats include: in flight.1  grazing  pine forestry and land clearance (Kuitpo and Distribution and Population Mount Compass areas) Also occurs in QLD, NSW, VIC and TAS. In SA,  weed competition (Blackberries and Broom) restricted to SMLR and lower SE.1 The main AMLR  fire management and fire frequency population is at Knott Hill Native Forest Reserve  site management activities (e.g. timing of (ForestrySA).7 slashing)

Further information: Biodiversity Conservation Unit, Adelaide Region Phone: (61 8) 8336 0901 Fax: (61 8) 8336 0999 http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/  Department for Environment and Heritage FIS 90346 May 2008 Prepared as part of the Regional Recovery Plan for Threatened Species and Ecological Communities of Adelaide and the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia 2009 - 2014

 track construction (use of clay materials on natural sandy areas) (R. Bates pers. comm.). 5 Department for Environment and Heritage (2007). State Herbarium of South Australia Database. Unpublished data, Within the AMLR, the majority of its known distribution extracted October 2007. occurs within 2 km of confirmed or suspected 6 Department for Environment and Heritage (2007). Wetlands 3 Phytophthora infestations. Inventory Database of South Australia. Unpublished data, extracted October 2007. Additional current direct threats have been identified and rated for this species. Refer to the main plan 7 ForestrySA (2006). Mount Panorama, Knott Hill and Christmas accompanying these profiles. Hill Native Forest Reserves Management Plan. ForestrySA, Adelaide, South Australia. Regional Distribution 8 Jones, D. L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. New Holland Publishers, Australia.

Map based on filtered post-1983 records.3 Note, this map does not necessarily represent the actual species’ distribution within the AMLR.

References Note: In some cases original reference sources are not included in this list, however they can be obtained from the reference from which the information has been sourced (the reference cited in superscript).

1 Bates, R. J., ed. (2007). South Australian Native Orchids. Electronic version, August 2007. Native Orchid Society of South Australia.

2 Department for Environment and Heritage Electronic Flora of South Australia species Fact Sheet: Caleana major R.Br. Available from http://www.flora.sa.gov.au (accessed August 2007).

3 Department for Environment and Heritage (2007). Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Regional Recovery Pilot Project Database. Unpublished data extracted and edited from BDBSA, SA Herbarium (July 2007) and other sources.

4 Department for Environment and Heritage (2007). Combined Fire Response Database. Unpublished data, extracted September 2007.