Caladenia mesocera

The combined effect of logging, agricultural conversion and introduced species have taken a serious toll on the native habitats of the region. Throughout the southwest of Western Australia, 44% of all jarrah forest has been cleared, while nearly 90% of all eucalyptus woodlands has been cleared. Phytophora cinnamomi, a well established disease in the wetter regions in southwest Western Australia has caused the collapse of entire ecological communities. Threats to terrestrial orchids include introduced weeds (especially grasses, Iridaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Brassicaceae), grazing by introduced and domestic animals, changes in hydroecology through rising water tables and salinization, mining, change in fire regime, clearing for agriculture and environmentally harmful agricultural practices, firebreak maintenance, roadwork and droughts (Mockrin 2001). How these threats impact on the dynamics of the population of this species is unknown. Collections of the taxon by roadside may indicate some tolerance to anthropogenic disturbance (specimen data). The taxon is less attractive than other Caladenia spp. of the region and may be less of a target for collectors. The taxon does not appear to be commercially available. The impacts of potential extraction of the taxon, in the wild, for horticultural use, are unknown

This species has been collected within several conservation units. The taxon is grown in various botanical institutions and by hobbyists. It is protected under CITES Appendix II. This species is reported to be common and not threatened in Western Australia (Paczkowska 1994, Brown 2009). As with all orchids, the taxon should not be removed from the wild. The population should be monitored at regular intervals.