Austral ladies tresses facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Austral ladies' tresses |
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The Spiranthes australis, also known as the austral ladies' tresses, is a type of orchid. This plant grows in many places, from the southern Caspian Sea and Himalayan Mountains all the way to the South-West Pacific. It has a few leaves at its base and a tall stem. Up to sixty small pink and white flowers are arranged in a spiral pattern around this stem.
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What Does It Look Like?
The Spiranthes australis is a plant that grows from the ground. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, which means its leaves fall off at certain times. This plant is a herb, so it has soft stems instead of woody ones.
It usually has three to ten dark green leaves. These leaves can be long and thin, or shaped like a spatula. They are about 8 to 18 centimeters (3 to 7 inches) long and 0.6 to 1 centimeter (0.2 to 0.4 inches) wide.
The plant produces many bright pink flowers, sometimes up to sixty! These flowers are tightly packed and arranged in a spiral shape along a tall stem. The stem can be about 25 to 45 centimeters (10 to 18 inches) tall. The flowers themselves are small, about 0.4 to 0.5 centimeters (0.16 to 0.20 inches) long. Their color can range from a deep pink to pure white.
Each flower has different parts. The top part, called the dorsal sepal, is shaped like a spear or an egg. Other parts, like the side sepals and petals, are similar in size but thinner. The labellum (a special lip-like petal) is white. It has a bumpy texture and crinkled edges.
This orchid flowers from October to March, or even later. Interestingly, its flowers are self-pollinating. This means they can make seeds without needing pollen from another plant.
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How It Got Its Name
The Spiranthes australis was first officially described in 1810. This was done by a botanist named Robert Brown. He published his description in a book called Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.
The second part of its scientific name, australis, is a Latin word. It means "southern." This name was chosen because the plant is often found in southern regions. Scientists have recently learned more about this species. They have also clarified how it is related to another plant called Spiranthes sinensis.
Where It Grows
Austral ladies' tresses usually grows in wet, muddy, or swampy areas. It can also be found in grassy places that get a lot of rain. This orchid is found in many parts of the world. It grows from the southern Caspian Sea in Iran and Georgia all the way to the southwest Pacific.
In Australia, you can find it in Queensland, eastern New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, and Victoria. It also grows in Tasmania. Sometimes, it is even seen in South Australia.
Protecting the Plant
The Spiranthes australis is common in most places where it grows. However, in South Australia, it is considered "Rare." This is because it is only known to grow in the Mount Compass area there.
Growing This Orchid
This orchid is fairly easy to grow if you want to plant it. It does well in sandy soil that drains water easily. Sometimes, it can even pop up as a "weed" in plant nurseries where other plants are grown for sale.
