Wispy umbrella orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wispy umbrella orchid |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Illustration of B. gracillimum by Lewis Roberts | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Bulbophyllum
|
| Species: |
gracillimum
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The Bulbophyllum gracillimum, also called the wispy umbrella orchid, is a type of orchid. It is an epiphytic plant, which means it grows on other plants, like trees, but does not harm them. This orchid has a creeping stem called a rhizome. It also has special storage parts called pseudobulbs. These pseudobulbs are olive green and spaced out. Each one has a single thick, leathery leaf.
The wispy umbrella orchid produces beautiful purplish-red flowers. These flowers grow in a semicircular cluster, like an umbrella. They have long, thin tails on their side parts, called sepals. This orchid grows in many places. You can find it in New Guinea, New Caledonia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and parts of tropical North Queensland.
Contents
What the Wispy Umbrella Orchid Looks Like
The wispy umbrella orchid is a herb that grows on other plants. It has a creeping stem, or rhizome. Along this stem are olive green pseudobulbs. These pseudobulbs are about 10 to 18 millimeters (0.4 to 0.7 inches) long. They are also about 10 to 15 millimeters (0.4 to 0.6 inches) wide.
Each pseudobulb has one thick, leathery leaf. The leaf is olive green and shaped like a narrow egg. It is about 50 to 80 millimeters (2 to 3 inches) long. The leaf is also about 30 to 35 millimeters (1.2 to 1.4 inches) wide.
The orchid's flowers grow in a spreading, semicircular group. This group is called an umbel. It can be 150 to 250 millimeters (6 to 10 inches) long. There are usually six to ten flowers in each umbel. The flowers are purplish-red. They are also resupinate, which means they are twisted upside down. Each flower is about 30 to 50 millimeters (1.2 to 2.0 inches) long. They are also about 5 to 8 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) wide.
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, is egg-shaped. It is about 3 millimeters (0.1 inches) long and 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) wide. This part forms a small hood over the center of the flower. The dorsal sepal also has a long, hair-like tip. This tip is about 5 to 6 millimeters (0.20 to 0.24 inches) long.
The side parts, or lateral sepals, are about 7 to 8 millimeters (0.28 to 0.31 inches) long. They are 3 to 4 millimeters (0.12 to 0.16 inches) wide. These sepals are joined together at their base. Their ends become long, thin "tails" that are 18 to 25 millimeters (0.7 to 1.0 inches) long. The petals of the flower hang down. They have long hairs on their tips. These petals are about 5 to 6 millimeters (0.20 to 0.24 inches) long and 1 millimeter (0.04 inches) wide.
The labellum is a special lip-like part of the flower. It is white to cream-colored and feels fleshy. It is curved and about 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) long. It also has a small groove down its middle. In Australia, this orchid usually flowers between August and March.
How the Orchid Got Its Name
The wispy umbrella orchid was first officially described in 1895. A scientist named Robert Allen Rolfe gave it the name Cirrhopetalum gracillimum. This description was published in a science journal called the Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Royal Gardens, Kew.
Later, in 1907, Rolfe changed the name. He renamed it Bulbophyllum gracillimum. The second part of its scientific name, gracillimum, comes from a Latin word. It means "slenderest," which describes the orchid's delicate appearance.
Where the Wispy Umbrella Orchid Lives
The Bulbophyllum gracillimum orchid grows on trees. It prefers places like stunted rainforests. It also likes other damp, airy spots. You can find this orchid in several countries. These include Indonesia, Malaysia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, and Fiji. It also grows in Queensland, Australia.
In Queensland, it lives in the Iron and Janet Ranges. It grows at heights of about 300 to 400 meters (980 to 1,310 feet) above sea level.
Protecting the Wispy Umbrella Orchid
This orchid is considered "vulnerable" by the Australian Government. This means it is at risk of becoming endangered. It is protected under a law called the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
The biggest danger to the wispy umbrella orchid is people collecting it illegally. Some orchid fans try to take these plants from their natural homes. This can harm the wild populations of the orchid.
See also
In Spanish: Bulbophyllum gracillimum para niños
