Maroon strand orchid facts for kids

The maroon strand orchid (scientific name: Bulbophyllum boonjee) is a special type of orchid. It grows on other plants, like trees, but it's not a parasite – it just uses them for support. This orchid is found only in tropical North Queensland, Australia. It has unique features like flat, crowded stems called pseudobulbs, stiff, light green leaves, and small, bell-shaped maroon flowers with darker stripes.

What the Maroon Strand Orchid Looks Like

The maroon strand orchid is a plant that grows on other plants, usually trees. It has many flat, pale green pseudobulbs. These are like swollen stems that store water and nutrients. Each pseudobulb is about 4–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) wide.

Each pseudobulb has one stiff, pale green leaf. These leaves are about 15–40 mm (0.6–2 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) wide.

The orchid produces two to four bell-shaped flowers. These flowers are maroon (a dark reddish-purple color) with darker stripes. They are small, about 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and 6–7 mm (0.24–0.28 in) wide. The flowers grow on a thin stem that is about 10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in) long.

Flower Parts

The orchid's flowers have different parts:

• The dorsal sepal (the top part of the flower) is about 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) wide.
• The lateral sepals (the side parts) are similar in length but twice as wide.
• The petals are about 2–3 mm (0.079–0.12 in) long and 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) wide.
• The labellum (a special lip-like petal) is about 2.5 mm (0.098 in) long and less than 1 mm (0.039 in) wide. It is curved and has small bumps on its top surface.

This orchid usually flowers between September and February.

How it was Named

The Bulbophyllum boonjee was officially described for the first time in 1984. Two botanists, Bruce Gray and David Jones, gave it its scientific name. They published their findings in a journal called The Orchadian.

Where it Lives

The maroon strand orchid lives in the rainforests of Queensland, Australia. You can find it growing on thin branches of trees in places like the Atherton Tableland and Mount Lewis.

Conservation Status

Sadly, the maroon strand orchid is considered "vulnerable." This means it is at risk of becoming endangered or disappearing completely. The Queensland Government protects it under their Nature Conservation Act 1992 to help keep it safe.