Broad-lipped spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Broad-lipped spider orchid |
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| Caladenia applanata subsp. applanata growing in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Genus: | Caladenia |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
C. a. subsp. applanata
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| Trinomial name | |
| Caladenia applanata subsp. applanata |
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| Synonyms | |
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The broad-lipped spider orchid is a special type of orchid. Its scientific name is Caladenia applanata subsp. applanata. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This orchid is quite common.
It has one tall, hairy leaf. The plant can grow up to three flowers. These flowers can be red, cream, green, or yellow. They have a wide, flat labellum (a special lip-like petal) with a red tip.
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What Does This Orchid Look Like?
The broad-lipped spider orchid is a ground-dwelling plant. It is a perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years. It has an underground tuber (like a small potato).
Each plant grows a single, wide, hairy leaf. This leaf can be about 9 to 20 centimeters (3.5 to 8 inches) long. It is about 0.4 to 1 centimeter (0.16 to 0.4 inches) wide.
Flower Details
The orchid usually has up to three flowers. Sometimes it might have four. These flowers grow on a stem that is about 25 to 50 centimeters (10 to 20 inches) tall. Each flower is about 7 to 9 centimeters (2.8 to 3.5 inches) long. They are also about 6 to 8 centimeters (2.4 to 3.1 inches) wide.
The sepals are like small leaves that protect the flower. They have narrow, light brown, club-shaped tips. The top sepal stands straight up. It is about 4 to 8 centimeters (1.6 to 3.1 inches) long. The two side sepals spread out near their base. Then they turn downwards. They are also about 4 to 8 centimeters long.
The petals are about 3 to 5 centimeters (1.2 to 2 inches) long. They are arranged like the side sepals.
The Labellum
The most interesting part is the labellum. It is about 2 to 2.3 centimeters (0.8 to 0.9 inches) long. It is also about 1.1 to 1.5 centimeters (0.4 to 0.6 inches) wide. The tip of the labellum is a dark maroon color.
The sides of the labellum have many small teeth. These teeth can be up to 0.4 centimeters (0.16 inches) long. In the middle of the labellum, there are four or more rows of crowded, deep red bumps called calli. These calli can be up to 0.3 centimeters (0.12 inches) long.
This orchid blooms from September to late October. There is another type of this orchid, subspecies erubescens, which has pink flowers.
How Was This Orchid Named?
Scientists officially described Caladenia applanata in 2001. This was done by two botanists, Stephen Hopper and Andrew Phillip Brown. They described two different types of this orchid. One of them was Caladenia applanata subsp. applanata.
Their description was published in a science journal called Nuytsia. The name applanata comes from a Latin word. It means "flattened." This name refers to the wide, flat labellum of the orchid.
Where Does This Orchid Live?
The broad-lipped spider orchid grows in low, bushy areas. These areas often have limestone soil. You can find it along the coast. It grows between Yallingup and Albany. These places are in the Jarrah Forest and Warren areas of Western Australia.
Is This Orchid Protected?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of plants. They have classified Caladenia applanata subsp. applanata as "not threatened." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
