Antler orchids facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Antler orchid |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Dendrobium
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| Species: |
discolor
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The Dendrobium discolor, also known as the antler orchid, is a type of orchid that grows on other plants or rocks. These orchids have long, tube-shaped stems called pseudobulbs. Each pseudobulb has many leathery leaves. Their flowers are often brownish or greenish with wavy petals. Antler orchids are found in northern Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia. There are different kinds, or subspecies, of this orchid.
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What Antler Orchids Look Like
The antler orchid is a plant that grows on trees or rocks. It has green or yellowish pseudobulbs. These pseudobulbs can be 1–5 m (3–20 ft) long and 30–60 mm (1–2 in) wide. Each one has between ten and thirty-five tough leaves. These leaves are about 60–160 mm (2–6 in) long and 30–50 mm (1.2–2.0 in) wide.
The orchid's flowering stem can be 200–600 mm (8–20 in) long. It holds eight to forty flowers. These flowers can be light brown, reddish brown, dark brown, or yellowish. Each flower is about 30–80 mm (1.2–3.1 in) long and wide. They have wavy and twisted sepals and petals. Sepals are like small leaves that protect the flower bud. Petals are the colorful parts of the flower.
The sepals are 20–35 mm (0.79–1.4 in) long. The petals are 20–40 mm (0.8–2 in) long. The labellum is a special lip-like petal. It has purple markings and is about 12–24 mm (0.5–0.9 in) long. This labellum has three main parts. The side parts spread out or curve up. The middle part curves down and has wavy edges. Antler orchids usually bloom from April to December.
How Antler Orchids Got Their Name
The antler orchid, Dendrobium discolor, was first officially described in 1841. A scientist named John Lindley wrote about it. The name discolor comes from a Latin word. It means "of different colors" or "having varied colors." This name fits the orchid because its flowers can have many shades.
Different Kinds of Antler Orchids
There are a few different types of antler orchids. Here are some of them:
- Dendrobium discolor var. broomfieldii: This type is called the canary orchid. It has greenish-yellow to bright golden-yellow flowers. It blooms from April to December. You can find it on the Whitsunday Islands in Australia.
- Dendrobium discolor subsp. discolor: This is the golden antler orchid. Its flowers are light to dark brown, or sometimes yellow. They have purple markings on the labellum. It blooms between August and November. This orchid grows in Queensland, Australia, from the Torres Strait Islands to Rockhampton.
- Dendrobium discolor var. fimbrilabium: This type is found in Indonesia, New Guinea, and Queensland.
- Dendrobium discolor var. fuscum: Known as the brown antler orchid. It has smaller, reddish-brown to dark brown flowers. These also have purple markings on the labellum. It blooms from April to December. You can find it in Queensland, from the Torres Strait Islands to Mackay.
- Dendrobium discolor subsp. incurvata: This type grows in Papua New Guinea and Queensland.
Where Antler Orchids Live
Antler orchids grow in different places. You can find them in coastal areas, like scrublands and mangrove forests. They also live in coastal rainforests and woodlands. Sometimes, they even grow on rocks. These orchids are found in Indonesia, New Guinea, and Australia.
