Bald-tip beard orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bald-tip beard orchid |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Calochilus
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| Species: |
richae
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Calochilus richae, commonly known as the bald-tip beard orchid, is a very special type of orchid. It grows only in a small area in Victoria, Australia. This orchid is quite rare. It was first found in 1928 but then wasn't seen again until 1968. Sadly, its numbers are still getting smaller. The plant has one dark green leaf. Its flowers are reddish-brown with darker stripes. They also have a special lip, called a labellum, which looks like it has short, spiky, purplish "hairs."
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About the Bald-Tip Beard Orchid
The bald-tip beard orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber (like a small potato). It has a single dark green leaf that is about 150 to 300 mm (6 to 12 in) long. This leaf is fully grown when the plant flowers.
The plant can have up to five reddish-brown flowers. These flowers have darker stripes and are about 30 to 35 mm (1.2 to 1.4 in) long. They grow on a stem that can be 200 to 360 mm (8 to 14 in) tall. Each flower only lasts for about two to four days.
The flower parts include:
- The dorsal sepal (top part) is egg-shaped, about 12 to 15 mm (0.5 to 0.6 in) long.
- The lateral sepals (side parts) are similar in length but narrower.
- The petals are smaller, about 6 to 8 mm (0.2 to 0.3 in) long.
- The labellum (the "beard" lip) is flat and egg-shaped. It is about 12 to 15 mm (0.5 to 0.6 in) long. Most of the labellum is covered with short, spiky purple bumps called calli. The very tip of the labellum looks like a short "tail."
- The column (the central part of the flower) has two purple "eyes" joined by a small ridge.
These orchids usually flower in September and October.
How it Got its Name
The bald-tip beard orchid, Calochilus richae, was first officially described in 1929. This description was made by William Henry Nicholls. He found a sample of the plant near Whroo, Victoria. The description was then published in a science magazine called The Victorian Naturalist.
The second part of its name, richae, was chosen to honor Mrs. Edith Rich. She was the person who first discovered this unique orchid species.
You might see this orchid's name spelled in a few different ways, like Calochilus richii or Calochilus richiae. However, the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families currently uses the spelling Calochilus richae.
Where it Lives
The bald-tip beard orchid grows in hilly, open forests. It is only found in one small area near Rushworth, Victoria. In fact, there are fewer than twenty plants left in this single group.
How it Reproduces
This special orchid is pollinated by male scoliid wasps. These wasps belong to the genus Campsomeris. They try to mate with the orchid's labellum, thinking it is another wasp. This action helps the orchid spread its pollen.
After pollination, the orchid's seed pods, called capsules, grow. They are ready in about five to eight weeks. This orchid can only make new plants from its seeds.
Protecting the Orchid
The bald-tip beard orchid is a very rare plant. It was first found in 1928 but then disappeared for many years. It was not seen again until 1968. In 1980, about 23 flowering plants were counted. However, the number of plants has gone down a lot since then. Between 1998 and 2004, sometimes no plants were found flowering, and at most, only four were seen.
Because it is so rare, this orchid is listed as "endangered." This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever. It is protected under two important laws:
- The Australian Government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
- The Victorian Government's Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988
The main dangers to this orchid are:
- Animals like kangaroos eating the plants.
- People disturbing its home by illegally dumping rubbish.
- People illegally collecting firewood.
- People illegally picking the orchid's flowers.
