Bundarra spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bundarra spider orchid |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Caladenia amnicola growing near Invergowrie | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
|
| Species: |
amnicola
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The Caladenia amnicola, also known as the Bundarra spider orchid, is a special plant from the orchid family. It is found only in a small part of New South Wales, Australia. This unique orchid has a single leaf and usually grows just one greenish-yellow flower with red markings. It is quite rare, known from only one small group of plants.
About the Bundarra Spider Orchid
The Bundarra spider orchid is a plant that grows on the ground. It lives for many years and has a special underground stem called a tuber. Each plant has one leaf, which is about 100–150 mm (4–6 in) long and 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) wide.
Usually, only one flower grows on a stalk that is about 200–350 mm (8–10 in) tall. The flower is green or greenish-yellow with red lines. It measures about 40–50 mm (1.6–2.0 in) across.
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, stands straight up. It is about 40–50 mm (1.6–2.0 in) long. The side sepals are similar in size but spread out wide, with their ends pointing downwards. The petals are about 25–40 mm (1–2 in) long. The sepals and petals become very thin at their ends, like a thread. These thin parts are covered with tiny hairs.
The special lower petal, called the labellum, is dark green with a maroon tip. It is about 14–18 mm (0.6–0.7 in) long and 13–17 mm (0.5–0.7 in) wide. The labellum curves forward and downwards. It has four to seven pairs of thin "teeth" along its sides, up to 4 mm (0.2 in) long. In the middle of the labellum, there are four to six rows of crowded reddish bumps called calli. This orchid flowers from November to January.
Naming the Orchid
The Bundarra spider orchid was first officially described in 1997 by a botanist named David L. Jones. He published its description in a journal called The Orchadian. The plant he described was found about 20 km (10 mi) west of Armidale, near the road to Bundarra.
The scientific name, amnicola, comes from a Latin word. It means "inhabitant of or by a river," which tells us where this orchid likes to grow.
Where it Lives
The Bundarra spider orchid is only known from one group of plants. This group is found in the same place where the first plant was discovered. It grows among thick, low shrubs next to a forest stream.
Protecting the Orchid
Caladenia amnicola is listed as "2KV" in a special classification system called ROTAP. This means it is considered vulnerable and not much is known about it. It also means it lives in a very small area. Efforts are made to protect this rare and unique orchid.
