Caladenia rosella (a terrestrial orchid) - presumed extinct species listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the terrestrial orchid Caladenia rosella G. W. Carr as a SPECIES PRESUMED EXTINCT in Part 4 of Schedule 1 of the Act, and as a consequence, to omit reference to Caladenia rosella G. W. Carr from Part 1 of Schedule 1 (Endangered species). Listing of species presumed extinct is provided for by Part 2 of the Act.

NSW Scientific Committee - final determination

The Scientific Committee has found that:

1. Caladenia rosella G. W. Carr (family Orchidaceae) is described by T. J. Entwisle (1999) in Walsh, N. G. and Entwisle, T. J. (eds). Flora of Victoria. Vol. 2. p. 792, Inkata Press, Melbourne, as a: Flowering plant 10-21cm tall. Leaf 4-9cm long, 5-9mm wide, blotched with red at base. Flower solitary, with musk-like fragrance; perianth segments 2-5 cm long, pale to bright rose-pink with dark glandular tail; sepals flattened at base, 2-5 mm wide, tapered to a long tail densely covered in crowded, glandular hairs; petals shorter than sepals but otherwise similar. Labellum curved forward with apex recurved and lateral lobes erect, lamina ovate-cordate, very obscurely 3-lobed, 9-15 mm long and 7-10mm wide (when flattened), pale pink at base with deep pink mid-lobe, margins and calli, sometimes with paler tip; margins of lateral lobes fringed with linear calli to 2mm long; margins of mid-lobe with shorter calli becoming tooth-like and broader towards tip; lamina calli in 4-6 rows, extending slightly onto mid-lobe, narrow, foot-shaped, to 1.5 mm long at base of lamina, decreasing in size towards apex.

2. Within NSW, Caladenia rosella is known only from a single pre-1896 collection from Albury on the southern border of NSW . The species also occurs in Victoria, where it is considered Endangered.

3. Caladenia rosella has not been recorded in NSW since the pre-1896 collection, despite extensive surveys for orchids within the Albury region.

4. Considerable potential habitat for Caladenia rosella within the Albury region has been cleared for urbanisation and agriculture.

In view of the above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the terrestrial orchid Caladenia rosella G. W. Carr has not been definitely located in nature during the preceding 50 years despite searching of known and likely habitats during that period.

Proposed Gazettal date: 13/12/02
Exhibition period: 13/12/02 - 31/01/03