Caladenia hildae

Caladenia hildae is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single, sparsely hairy, linear leaf, 70–200 mm (3–8 in) long and 1–3 mm (0.04–0.1 in) wide. There are up to four flowers on a spike 80–200 mm (3–8 in) tall. The flowers are yellowish-brown to golden-brown flowers with darker tips. The sepals and petals have pointed, drooping tips. The dorsal sepal is erect, 9–11 mm (0.35–0.43 in) long and about 3 mm (0.1 in) wide and curves forward forming a hood over and around the sides of the column. The lateral sepals and petals are 11–14 mm (0.4–0.6 in) long and about 3 mm (0.1 in) wide. The labellum is egg-shaped, 6–9 mm (0.2–0.4 in) long, 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) wide with the sides turned up and the tip rolled under. The labellum is white with a dark purple, glandular tip, narrow white or yellow-tipped teeth on the sides and four crowded rows of calli along its mid-line. Flowering occurs in October and November.[3][2][5]

Caladenia hildae was first formally described in 1928 by Edward Pescott and William Nicholls and the description was published in The Victorian Naturalist.[1][6] The specific epithet (hildae) honours Hilda Elliott for her assistance in obtaining grant money.[6] Although recognised by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne and the National Herbarium at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney as a valid name, C. hildae is regarded as a synonym of Caladenia testacea var. hildae by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.[7]

Golden caps grows in sparse or heathy forest and woodland in high-altitude areas in New South Wales south from the Kybean Range and in Victoria mainly eastwards from Omeo.[3][2][5]

Caladenia hildae is listed as "rare" by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment.[4]