Caladenia hirta subsp. rosea - Pink Candy Orchid
I have not seen this orchid in the higher rainfall coastal areas, nor in the dry inland mallee regions, but it can be extremely common in the zone between, particularly after fire. The above was discovered in their thousands in a good sandy clay loam (wheat growing country), on flat to gently sloping ground over granite, thereby providing good drainage but with moisture holding ability.
You can see by the frosted pink flower coloration how it got the common name of Candy Orchid. The flowers are around 20-30 mm (1") diameter, with plant height commonly 150 mm (6"). Flowering time can be as early as June, but more commonly August and September. Late rainfall and mild weather will even take flowering well into October.
