Beech caladenia facts for kids

The Beech caladenia (scientific name: Caladenia nothofageti) is a special type of orchid. People also call it white fingers. This plant belongs to the large orchid family. It is found only in New Zealand. This means it is endemic to that country.

The Beech caladenia has a single, thin leaf. This leaf has a few hairs on it. The plant usually grows one or two white flowers. These flowers have a greenish-white back. They grow on a thin stem.

What it Looks Like

The Beech caladenia is a plant that grows from an underground part called a tuber. It is a perennial plant. This means it lives for more than two years. It is also a deciduous herb. This means its leaves fall off at certain times.

Each plant has one bright green leaf. This leaf is about 40 to 180 millimeters (1.6 to 7.1 inches) long. It is also about 1 to 3 millimeters (0.04 to 0.12 inches) wide. The leaf has only a few hairs.

The plant usually has one flower. Sometimes it has two. These flowers are white. Their backs are greenish-white. Each flower is about 14 to 16 millimeters (0.55 to 0.63 inches) across. They grow on a thin, wire-like stem. This stem is about 50 to 100 millimeters (2.0 to 3.9 inches) tall.

The sepals and petals of the flower are about 80 to 95 millimeters (3.1 to 3.7 inches) long. They are about 2 to 3 millimeters (0.08 to 0.12 inches) wide. The top sepal stands straight up. The side sepals and petals usually point sideways or slightly down.

The special lip petal, called the labellum, is about 5 to 7 millimeters (0.20 to 0.28 inches) long. It is about 5 millimeters (0.20 inches) wide. This lip petal is white. Sometimes it is cream-colored. It might have faint red lines. The sides of the labellum curve upwards. They partly wrap around the central part of the flower, called the column. The edges near the front have four to six blunt teeth. The very tip of the labellum curls under.

There are two rows of pale yellow bumps. These bumps are called calli. They run along the center of the labellum. The flowers bloom from November to January. They are self-pollinating. This means they can make seeds by themselves. The flowers only stay open for a day or two.

Where it Lives

The Beech caladenia grows in New Zealand. You can find it on both the North Island and the South Island. It likes to grow in Nothofagus forests. These are also known as beech forests. It prefers spots where there is plenty of light.

How it Got its Name

The Beech caladenia was first officially described in 1997. Three botanists named it. They were David Jones, Brian Molloy, and Mark Clements. They published their description in a magazine called The Orchadian.

Conservation Status

In New Zealand, the Beech caladenia is listed as "not threatened." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.