Arrowsmith bee orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arrowsmith bee orchid |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Diuris
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| Species: |
eburnea
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The Arrowsmith bee orchid (scientific name: Diuris eburnea) is a special type of orchid. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This means it's endemic to that area, found nowhere else in the world! It has a few long, thin leaves and pretty pale yellow or cream-colored flowers with reddish marks. This rare orchid is only known to grow near the Arrowsmith River, which is north of a town called Eneabba.
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About the Arrowsmith Bee Orchid
The Arrowsmith bee orchid is a type of tuberous plant. This means it has a swollen underground stem, like a potato, that stores food. It's also a perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years and its stems are soft, not woody.
What it Looks Like
This orchid usually has four to six long, thin leaves. These leaves are about 120–200 mm (5–8 in) long and 1–3 mm (0.04–0.1 in) wide. They are folded lengthwise, almost like a V-shape.
The plant can grow a flowering stem that is 200–450 mm (8–20 in) tall. On this stem, you might see up to eight flowers. The flowers are usually pale yellow to cream-colored. They also have reddish markings, which makes them quite pretty. Each flower is about 20–30 mm (0.8–1 in) long and 12–15 mm (0.5–0.6 in) wide.
Flower Parts
Orchids have unique flower parts:
- The top part, called the dorsal sepal, is egg-shaped. It's about 9–13 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long and curves upwards.
- The two side parts, called lateral sepals, are oblong. They are about 9–14 mm (0.4–0.6 in) long and point downwards. They might even cross over each other.
- The petals stand mostly upright and spread out. They are egg-shaped or oval, about 7–11 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long.
- The most interesting part is the labellum. This is the special "lip" of the orchid flower. It's about 9–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long and turns slightly downwards. It has three main sections, called lobes.
- The middle lobe is wide and wedge-shaped, about 8–11 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long.
- The two side lobes are egg-shaped, about 4.5–6 mm (0.18–0.24 in) long.
- There are also two small bumps, called callus ridges, on the labellum. They are about 4.5 mm (0.2 in) long.
This orchid usually blooms in October and November.
Discovery and Name
How it Got its Name
The Arrowsmith bee orchid, Diuris eburnea, was officially described in 2006. A botanist named David Jones was the first to formally describe it. He found a sample of the orchid growing north of Eneabba. The description was then published in a scientific journal called Australian Orchid Research.
The second part of its scientific name, eburnea, comes from a Latin word. It means "of ivory." This name was chosen because the flowers of this orchid are a beautiful pale yellow or cream color, similar to ivory.
Where it Lives
The Arrowsmith bee orchid lives in a specific area of Western Australia. It grows in places that get wet during winter, usually along the banks of the Arrowsmith River. This area is part of what scientists call the Geraldton Sandplains biogeographic region. A biogeographic region is a large area of land or water that has similar plants, animals, and ecosystems.
Protecting the Orchid
The Diuris eburnea is a rare plant. The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has given it a special classification: "Priority One."
What "Priority One" Means
Being classified as "Priority One" means that this orchid is known from only a few locations. These locations are potentially at risk, meaning the orchid could be in danger of disappearing if not protected. This classification helps scientists and conservationists focus on protecting this special plant and its habitat.
