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Granite mantis orchid facts for kids

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The granite mantis orchid (scientific name: Caladenia attingens subsp. effusa) is a special type of orchid. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This orchid has a single, hairy leaf that stands up straight. Its flowers are green, yellow, and red. They look a bit like a praying mantis, which is how they got their common name!

Quick facts for kids
Granite mantis orchid
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Caladenia
Species:
Subspecies:
C. a. subsp. effusa
Trinomial name
Caladenia attingens subsp. effusa
A.P.Br. & G.Brockman

What Does the Granite Mantis Orchid Look Like?

The granite mantis orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It is a land plant and lives for many years (it's a perennial). This plant loses its leaves in some seasons (it's deciduous). It has a single hairy leaf that is about 5 to 20 centimeters (2 to 8 inches) long. The leaf is also about 0.5 to 1.1 centimeters (0.2 to 0.4 inches) wide.

Flowers of the Orchid

This orchid usually has one or two flowers. These flowers are green, yellow, and red. They are about 4 to 6 centimeters (1.6 to 2.4 inches) long. They are also about 3 to 4 centimeters (1.2 to 1.6 inches) wide. The flowers grow on a stalk that is 12 to 25 centimeters (4.7 to 9.8 inches) tall.

Parts of the Flower

The flower has parts called sepals and petals. These parts have thin, club-shaped tips. These tips are brown and are about 1 to 1.2 centimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) long. The top sepal, called the dorsal sepal, stands up straight. It is about 3 to 4 centimeters (1.2 to 1.6 inches) long.

The side sepals, called lateral sepals, are also 3 to 4 centimeters long. They curve downwards near the bottom. Then they curve forward and slightly upwards. The petals are about 2 to 3 centimeters (0.8 to 1.2 inches) long. They curve downwards.

The special lip of the flower is called the labellum. It is about 0.9 to 1.5 centimeters (0.4 to 0.6 inches) long. It is green with a dark red tip. The sides of the labellum have small, narrow teeth. There are also many rows of red bumps, called calli, along its center. These bumps even reach near the tip.

When Does it Bloom?

The granite mantis orchid flowers from August to early October. This subspecies is different from others. Its side sepals do not strongly curve upwards. Also, its labellum is less than 1.5 centimeters (0.6 inches) wide.

How the Orchid Got Its Name

The Caladenia attingens orchid was first officially described in 2001. This was done by scientists Stephen Hopper and Andrew Phillip Brown. Their description was published in a science journal called Nuytsia.

Naming the Subspecies

In 2015, Andrew Brown and Garry Brockman described this specific subspecies. They named it effusa. Before this official name, it was known as Caladenia attingens subspecies 'granite'. The new subspecies description was also published in Nuytsia.

The name effusa comes from a Latin word. It means "loose" or "spreading." This name refers to the side sepals of the flower. They spread outwards instead of being curved like a sickle, which is how they look in other subspecies.

Where the Orchid Lives

The granite mantis orchid is found in Western Australia. It grows between Peak Charles and Balladonia. This area is part of the Mallee region. It prefers to grow in shallow soil. You can often find it on granite rock outcrops.

Is the Orchid Safe?

The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife checks on plants. They have classified Caladenia attingens subsp. effusa as "not threatened." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.

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