Glossodia major
Description
Source: leafsnapCaladenia major, commonly known as the waxlip orchid, parson-in-the-pulpit, or purple cockatoo is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae, and is endemic to Australia. It is a ground orchid with a single hairy leaf and one or two purple to mauve flowers. It has been known as Glossodia major since its description by the prolific Scottish botanist Robert Brown in 1810, but recent discoveries suggest its inclusion in the genus Caladenia.
Care Guide
💧 Water
☀️ Light Partial sun
Parson-in-the-pulpit is native to habitats like forest understories and rocky areas, where it occurs in natural shade. It prefers partial sun but can adapt to full sun or full shade, showing its versatile, hardy nature.
🌡️ Temperature 15–37.8°C
Parson-in-the-pulpit can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but its distribution may still be restricted by different combinations of moisture and heat. It does best in warm summer climates with sufficient rainfall or supplemental watering. Extended periods of cloudy, rainy weather and prolonged high temperatures can raise the chance of Parson-in-the-pulpit dying. In winter, appropriate protection from cold can increase the plant’s likelihood of survival.
💨 Humidity
🪴 Soil 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer
The best time to fertilize a Parson-in-the-pulpit is in early spring, when it is coming out of dormancy and beginning active growth. Fertilization supplies essential nutrients for healthy development. Although the plant has relatively low fertilizer requirements, applying fertilizer annually can improve its survival and encourage better, longer-lasting flowers.
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity
Characteristics
- Plant Type
- Herb
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Glossodia
- Family
- Orchidaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 8-11
- Mature Height
- 20 cm to 30 cm
- Mature Spread
- 10 cm to 20 cm
- Leaf Color
- Green
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
- Flower Color
- Pink, White
- Flower Size
- 2.54 cm to 5.08 cm
- Bloom Time
- Early fall, Mid fall
- Planting Time
- Autumn
- Harvest Time
- Late fall, Early winter