Arthrochilus laevicallus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arthrochilus laevigatus |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Arthrochilus
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| Species: |
byrnesii
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Arthrochilus laevicallus is a special kind of flowering plant that belongs to the orchid family. It is found only in Papua New Guinea, which means it's endemic there. This orchid doesn't have any leaves. Instead, it grows up to seven green flowers that look a lot like insects. These flowers have dark reddish spots called glands on a part of the flower called the labellum.
What it Looks Like
Arthrochilus laevicallus is a plant that grows in the ground and lives for many years. It's a type of plant that grows from an underground part called a tuber. This tuber is like a small potato, and it grows new tubers on special roots called stolons.
This orchid doesn't have leaves. Instead, it grows between four and seven green, insect-like flowers on a stem that is about 10.5 to 17.5 centimeters (4 to 7 inches) tall.
Each flower has different parts:
- The dorsal sepal is a strap-shaped part, about 11 millimeters (0.4 inches) long and 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) wide.
- The lateral sepals are also strap-shaped but curved. They are about 8.5 millimeters (0.3 inches) long and 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) wide.
- The petals are thin and curved, about 8 millimeters (0.3 inches) long and 1 millimeter (0.04 inches) wide.
- Both the petals and the lateral sepals bend backward towards the base of the flower.
- The labellum is a special lip-like part of the flower, about 6 millimeters (0.2 inches) long and 1.5 millimeters (0.06 inches) wide. It sits above the rest of the flower.
- The callus on the labellum is about 3 millimeters (0.1 inches) long. Its middle part is covered with short, stiff, hair-like glands.
These orchids usually bloom in January.
How it Got its Name
The plant Arthrochilus laevicallus was officially described for the first time in 2011. A scientist named Paul Ormerod gave it its name. He studied a sample of the plant that was found near Tarara, by the Wassi Kussa River in western Papua New Guinea. The description was then published in a science magazine called The Orchadian.
Where it Lives
This type of elbow orchid grows in wet, flat areas within forests in New Guinea.
