Silver strand orchid facts for kids

The silver strand orchid (scientific name: Bulbophyllum argyropus) is a special type of orchid. It usually grows on other plants, like trees, but sometimes it can also grow on rocks. This orchid is found only in eastern Australia, including Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands. It has crowded "false bulbs" (called pseudobulbs), tough dark green leaves, and small whitish or yellowish flowers with a bright orange lip.

What Does the Silver Strand Orchid Look Like?

The silver strand orchid is a plant that often grows on other plants, like trees. This is called being an epiphyte. Sometimes, it can also grow on rocks, which means it's a lithophyte. It has many crowded, bumpy "false bulbs" (pseudobulbs). These are about 5 to 8 millimeters long and 4 to 6 millimeters wide. When they are young, these false bulbs are covered with thin, white, papery leaves called bracts.

Each false bulb has one tough, dark green leaf. These leaves are about 20 to 45 millimeters long and 4 to 6 millimeters wide. The orchid produces up to five small flowers. These flowers are usually whitish or yellowish. They are about 5 to 6 millimeters long and 4 millimeters wide.

The flowers grow on a bumpy, thin stem that is about 15 to 30 millimeters long. The outer parts of the flower, called sepals, are about 4 millimeters long. The side sepals are longer, about 14 to 18 millimeters long. The inner parts, called petals, are about 1 millimeter long and wide. The special lip of the flower, called the labellum, is orange. It's about 3 millimeters long and 2 millimeters wide, and it's curved and fleshy. You can see these orchids flowering between August and December.

Its Name and History

The silver strand orchid was first officially described in 1833 by a scientist named Stephan Endlicher. He first named it Thelychiton argyropus. He wrote about it in a book called Prodromus Florae Norfolkicae. Later, in 1876, another scientist named Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach changed its name to Bulbophyllum argyropus.

The second part of its scientific name, argyropus, comes from two ancient Greek words. Argyros means "silver," and pous means "foot."

Where Does It Live?

The silver strand orchid usually grows high up on the branches of trees in rainforests. Sometimes, it can also be found growing on rocks. You can find this orchid in Queensland, from the McPherson Range down to the Dorrigo Plateau in New South Wales. It also lives on Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island. There have also been reports of it growing in New Caledonia.