Montane elbow orchid facts for kids

The montane elbow orchid (scientific name: Arthrochilus oreophilus) is a special type of flowering plant. It belongs to the amazing orchid family. This orchid is only found in the higher areas of far north Queensland, Australia. It has a group of leaves that look like a rosette at its bottom. The plant can grow up to fifteen green flowers. These flowers look a bit like insects! They also have tiny, dark reddish-brown glands on a part called the labellum.

What Does the Montane Elbow Orchid Look Like?

The montane elbow 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, so its leaves fall off at certain times. This plant has an underground tuber, which is like a storage root. This tuber can grow new "daughter" tubers on root-like stolons.

At the base of the plant, there are usually two to five leaves. These leaves are shaped like a spear. They are about 20 to 45 mm (0.8 to 1.8 inches) long. Each leaf is also about 10 to 18 mm (0.4 to 0.7 inches) wide.

The plant produces a tall, reddish-brown stem. This stem can be 80 to 200 mm (3 to 8 inches) tall. On this stem, there are usually two to fifteen flowers. Each flower is about 12 to 15 mm (0.5 to 0.6 inches) long. They look a bit like insects.

Let's look closer at the flower parts:

• The top petal, called the dorsal sepal, is shaped like a spoon. It is about 9 to 10 mm long. This sepal folds around the base of the flower's central part, called the column.
• The side petals, called lateral sepals, are curved and spear-shaped. They are about 6 to 7 mm long. These sepals point downwards.
• The other petals are thin and curved. They are about 7 mm long. These petals bend backwards towards the ovary of the flower.
• The labellum is a special lip-like part of the flower. It is about 6 mm long and is pale green. Its base is dark purple.
• On the labellum, there is a part that looks like an insect. It has dark reddish-brown, hair-like glands.
• The column, which is the central part of the flower, is green with purple spots. It is curved and about 7 mm long. It has two curved "wings" above and below it.

This orchid usually blooms from November to January.

How Was the Montane Elbow Orchid Named?

The montane elbow orchid was first officially described in 1991. A botanist named David Jones gave it its formal scientific name. He found a sample of the plant near Herberton. The description was then published in a book called Australian Orchid Research.

The second part of its scientific name, oreophilus, comes from two Ancient Greek words. "Oros" means "mountain" or "hill". "Philos" means "beloved" or "dear". So, "oreophilus" means "mountain-loving". This name perfectly describes where this orchid likes to grow!

Where Does the Montane Elbow Orchid Live?

The montane elbow orchid grows in woodlands and forests. It is found on the ranges and high flat areas (tablelands) in far north Queensland. You can find it at altitudes higher than 1000 meters (3,280 feet). It lives between the Cedar Bay National Park and the Evelyn Tableland. It is most commonly found on the Atherton Tableland.

How Does the Montane Elbow Orchid Reproduce?

Like other Arthrochilus orchids, the montane elbow orchid has a special way of being pollinated. It relies on male thynnid wasps from the genus Arthrothynnus. These wasps help the orchid make seeds. The exact type of wasp that pollinates this specific orchid is not yet known.

Besides making seeds, this orchid can also reproduce in another way. It can make new plants without needing seeds. It does this by growing new tubers underground. This is a type of asexual reproduction.