Cream rope orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cream rope orchid |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Bulbophyllum
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| Species: |
lamingtonense
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| Synonyms | |
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The Bulbophyllum lamingtonense, also known as the cream rope orchid, is a special kind of orchid. It grows on other plants or rocks, not in the soil. This orchid has stems with small, round parts called pseudobulbs, which are like tiny storage tanks for water and nutrients. Brown leaf-like structures called bracts cover the stems.
Each pseudobulb has one thick, channelled leaf. The orchid produces a single cream-coloured or white flower with yellow tips. You can find this orchid growing on trees and rocks near cliffs and the edges of rainforests. It lives near the border between New South Wales and Queensland in Australia.
What it Looks Like
The cream rope orchid is a plant that grows on trees (epiphytic) or rocks (lithophytic). Its stems are about 100–200 mm (4–8 in) long and covered with brown bracts. The pseudobulbs, which are like small bulbs, are 8–12 mm (0.31–0.47 in) long and about 3 mm (0.1 in) wide. They are spaced 15–25 mm (0.6–1 in) apart along the stems.
Each pseudobulb has a thick, fleshy leaf. This leaf is narrow and shaped like a spear, measuring 200–800 mm (8–30 in) long and 6–15 mm (0.24–0.59 in) wide. The top surface of the leaf has a groove or channel.
A single flower grows on a short stem about 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long. The flower itself is cream or white, 5.5–6.5 mm (0.22–0.26 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) wide. The flower parts, called sepals and petals, are thick and fleshy. The sepals are 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) long and about 1.5 mm (0.06 in) wide. The petals are about 2 mm (0.08 in) long and 1.5 mm (0.06 in) wide.
The labellum, which is a special lip-like petal on an orchid, is brown. It is about 2 mm (0.08 in) long and wide, with a sharp bend in the middle. These orchids usually bloom from March to August.
How it Got its Name
The cream rope orchid was officially named Bulbophyllum lamingtonense in 1993. A botanist named David Jones wrote the first detailed description of it. He found a sample of the plant in the Lamington National Park.
The second part of its scientific name, lamingtonense, tells us where it was first found. It refers to the type location, which is Lamington National Park.
Where it Lives
You can find the cream rope orchid growing on trees and rocks. It prefers areas near the edge of rainforests or on cliffs. Its home is in the McPherson and Border Ranges areas of Australia.
