Black-tipped spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black-tipped spider orchid |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
anthracina
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| Synonyms | |
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The black-tipped spider orchid (scientific name: Caladenia anthracina) is a special type of plant. It belongs to the orchid family, known for its beautiful flowers. This orchid is found only in Tasmania, Australia, meaning it is endemic there. It grows from the ground and has one fuzzy leaf. Its flower is usually white or cream, with red spots and cool black tips on its sepals and petals.
Contents
What Does the Black-Tipped Spider Orchid Look Like?
The black-tipped spider orchid is a perennial plant. This means it lives for more than two years. It is also a deciduous herb, so its leaves fall off at certain times. This orchid grows from an underground tuber, which is like a small storage root.
In May or June, after some rain, a single leaf appears above the ground. This leaf is dull green and shaped like a spear. It is about 5 to 12 cm (2 to 5 inches) long and 3 to 7 mm (0.1 to 0.3 inches) wide. It also feels a bit hairy.
Flower Details
Each plant usually has one flower. This flower is quite large, about 45 to 65 mm (1.8 to 2.6 inches) across. It grows on a stem that is 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 inches) tall.
Let's look at the parts of the flower:
- The dorsal sepal stands upright. It is long and thin, about 35 to 55 mm (1.4 to 2.2 inches) long. It gets thinner near the end and has a thick, black tip.
- The lateral sepals are on the sides. They are also long, about 35 to 55 mm (1.4 to 2.2 inches) long. They have black tips, just like the dorsal sepal.
- The petals are similar in size, about 35 to 45 mm (1.4 to 1.8 inches) long. They also end in a black point.
- The labellum is a special lip-like petal. It curves forward and is white or cream-colored. It has four to six rows of dark reddish-purple bumps called calli in the middle. The edges of the labellum have short, blunt teeth.
- The column is the central part of the flower. It is about 13 to 15 mm (0.5 to 0.6 inches) long. It looks see-through and has reddish marks with narrow wings.
These orchids usually bloom between late September and early November.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The black-tipped spider orchid was officially named in 1998 by a scientist named David L. Jones. He published its description in a book called Australian Orchid Research. The first plant he studied was found near Ross.
The scientific name anthracina comes from a Latin word. It means "coal-black." This name was chosen because of the black tips on the sepals and petals of the flower.
Where Does the Black-Tipped Spider Orchid Live?
This special orchid is only found in a small area of Midlands in Tasmania. It grows in grassy woodland areas where the soil is sandy. The total area where it lives is only about 27 square kilometers (10 square miles).
Why Is This Orchid Endangered?
The black-tipped spider orchid is a very rare plant. The government of Tasmania has listed it as "Endangered." This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever.
It is also listed as "critically endangered" (CR) under a big Australian law called the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). This shows how serious the threat to this orchid is. Efforts are being made to protect its habitat and help it survive.
