Boranup spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Boranup spider orchid |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
ambusta
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The Boranup spider orchid (scientific name: Caladenia ambusta) is a special type of orchid. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This means it is endemic there, found nowhere else in the world. It has one straight, thin leaf and a single creamy flower. This flower grows on a stem about 27 to 35 centimeters (11 to 14 inches) tall. You can find this orchid in a small area near Margaret River. It likes to grow in deep sand in shrubland and woodland areas. Interestingly, it flowers best after a bushfire.
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What Does the Boranup Spider Orchid Look Like?
The Boranup spider orchid is a ground-dwelling plant. It is a perennial herb, which means it lives for many years and has soft stems, not woody ones. It also loses its leaves each year (it's deciduous). This orchid has a special underground part called a tuber, which stores food.
- Leaf: It has one straight, thin, and hairy leaf. The leaf is about 12 to 17 centimeters (5 to 7 inches) long and 4 to 9 millimeters (0.16 to 0.35 inches) wide. It's pale green with reddish-purple spots near the bottom.
- Flower Stem: The single flower grows on a stem that is about 27 to 35 centimeters (11 to 14 inches) tall.
- Flower Color and Size: The flower is creamy-yellow to creamy-red. It is about 5 to 6 centimeters (2.0 to 2.4 inches) wide.
- Sepals: Sepals are like small leaves that protect the flower bud.
- The top sepal (called the dorsal sepal) stands straight up. It's about 4 to 6 centimeters (1.6 to 2.4 inches) long. It has a swollen tip that is 12 to 15 millimeters (0.47 to 0.59 inches) long and covered in tiny hairs.
- The side sepals (called lateral sepals) are about 4.5 to 6 centimeters (1.8 to 2.4 inches) long. They also have a similar swollen tip.
- Petals: The petals are about 3 to 4 centimeters (1.2 to 1.6 inches) long and smooth. The petals and side sepals spread out sideways. However, their outer two-thirds suddenly become much thinner, yellow-brown, and hang down like threads.
- Labellum: This is the orchid's special lip-like petal. It is white with red spots, stripes, and blotches. It measures about 16 to 22 millimeters (0.63 to 0.87 inches) long and 9 to 11 millimeters (0.35 to 0.43 inches) wide. Along its edges, there are white to deep red bumps called calli. In the middle, there are four to six rows of calli shaped like hockey sticks.
The Boranup spider orchid usually flowers from late October to mid-November. It blooms much more after a bushfire happened the previous summer.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The Boranup spider orchid was officially named Caladenia ambusta in 2015. It was described by two scientists, Andrew Brown and Garry Brockman. They found a sample of the plant near a place called Boranup.
The second part of its scientific name, ambusta, is a Latin word. It means "a burn." This name was chosen because the orchid flowers so much after a fire.
Where Does the Boranup Spider Orchid Live?
The Boranup spider orchid lives in a fairly small area. This area is south-west of the town of Margaret River in Western Australia. It prefers to grow in deep sand. You can find it in shrubland (areas with many shrubs) and woodland (areas with trees).
Is the Boranup Spider Orchid Protected?
Yes, the Boranup spider orchid is a special plant that needs protection. The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has classified it as "Priority Two."
What does "Priority Two" mean? It means that this orchid is not very well known. It has only been found in one or a few places. Because it's rare and found in limited spots, it's important to protect its habitat so it can continue to grow.
