Alabaster spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alabaster spider orchid |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Genus: | Caladenia |
| Species: |
C. denticulata
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| Subspecies: |
C. d. subsp. albicans
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| Trinomial name | |
| Caladenia denticulata subsp. albicans A.P.Br. & G.Brockman
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| Synonyms | |
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Caladenia denticulata (Lindl.) subsp. "Arrowsmith" |
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The alabaster spider orchid (scientific name: Caladenia denticulata subsp. albicans) is a special type of orchid plant. It is found only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This means it is endemic to that area.
This orchid has a single leaf that stands up and is covered in fine hairs. It usually grows one or two pale creamy-white flowers. The flowers have a white labellum (a special lip-like petal) with red markings. The only known group of these orchids lives in a small area near Arrowsmith.
Contents
What the Alabaster Spider Orchid Looks Like
The alabaster spider orchid is a plant that grows on the ground. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, which means some parts die back each year. It grows from an underground storage part called a tuber.
Each orchid has one hairy leaf, which is about 6 to 18 centimeters (2.4 to 7.1 inches) long. The stem that holds the flowers is about 15 to 35 centimeters (5.9 to 13.8 inches) tall. Each flower is quite large, about 7 to 10 centimeters (2.8 to 3.9 inches) long and 5 to 9 centimeters (2.0 to 3.5 inches) wide.
The top sepal (a leaf-like part that protects the flower bud) stands up. It is about 4 to 7 centimeters (1.6 to 2.8 inches) long and dull white or cream-colored. It has a dark brown, thread-like tip that hangs down. The side sepals and petals are similar in size and color, but the petals are a bit narrower and shorter. They arch outwards.
The labellum, or lip, of the flower is white with red marks. It curves forward and has white to pale red teeth along its edges. These teeth get smaller towards the tip. There are also up to 13 pairs of cream-colored bumps, called calli, in two rows along about half of the labellum. They also get smaller towards the tip.
These orchids usually bloom from August to early September. The dull white color of its petals and sepals helps tell it apart from other types of Caladenia denticulata. Its petals and sepals also tend to droop more.
How it Got its Name
The scientific name Caladenia denticulata was first officially described by John Lindley in 1840. This description was published in a book called A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony.
Later, in 2015, two scientists named Andrew Brown and Garry Brockman described three different types, or subspecies, of this orchid. One of these was subspecies albicans. Their descriptions were published in a science journal called Nuytsia.
The name albicans comes from the Latin word albus, which means "becoming white". This name was chosen because of the dull white color of the flowers.
Where it Lives
The alabaster spider orchid is only found near Arrowsmith in the Geraldton Sandplains area of Western Australia. It grows in moist soil that is either chalky (containing calcium carbonate) or sandy. You can find it growing under Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Acacia saligna trees.
Protecting the Orchid
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has given Caladenia denticulata subsp. albicans a special classification: "Priority One".
This means that the orchid is known to exist in only one or a few places. These locations are potentially at risk, so it's very important to protect these rare plants and their homes.
See also
In Spanish: Caladenia denticulata subsp. albicans para niños
