New WA spider orchids identified

Several new varieties of spider orchids have been discovered in Western Australia's south west region.

The 17 orchids were found from north of Geraldton to east of Esperance, and were officially named and documented in a recent journal published by the WA Herbarium.

"This is a significant achievement - it's not every day 17 new types of spider orchids are named," Department of Parks and Wildlife herbarium curator Kevin Thiele said.

There are now 158 identified spider orchids in WA.