Paracaleana minor (Small Duck Orchid)
Apparently, the Small Duck orchid has a more limited flowering window than its larger relation, Caleana major. However I have seen it well into late Feb at Coles bay.
It seems to favour similar conditions to the Large Duck – heathy sites on well-drained sandy or gravelly soil in Casuarina or Gum Forrest or heathlands. Reserves such as Peter Murrell (PMR) and the Waterworks are likely locations, from mid-December through January and later.
Being much smaller than the Large duck orchid, it’s much harder to spot, especially as the coloring is often very similar to surrounding vegetation and it may be located amongst the scrub.
The images below were taken at PMR, 25 Nov 2021 when they were just coming into flower and later, 28 December 2020 when there were still significant numbers in full flower.
