Pink-lipped spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pink-lipped spider orchid |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
behrii
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| Synonyms | |
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Arachnorchis behrii (Schltdl.) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. |
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The pink-lipped spider orchid (Caladenia behrii) is a special plant. It belongs to the orchid family. You can only find it in South Australia. This orchid has a single narrow leaf that feels hairy. In early spring, it grows one or two creamy-white flowers. These flowers have pretty pink tips.
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About the Pink-lipped Spider Orchid
The pink-lipped spider orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It lives for many years. Each year, it loses its leaves and grows new ones. It has a hidden tuber (like a small potato) underground. A single, hairy leaf grows from this tuber in winter. This leaf is shaped like a narrow spear and is about 5 to 10 centimeters (2 to 4 inches) long.
One or two flowers grow on a thin, hairy stem. This stem can reach up to 60 centimeters (24 inches) tall. Each flower can be as wide as 10 centimeters (4 inches). The side parts of the flower, called sepals and petals, are about 5 to 8 centimeters (2 to 3 inches) long. They are creamy-white. Their tips have red, sticky parts that smell like a strong musk or a subtle spice. These sepals and petals spread out wide at the bottom. But their ends hang down like threads.
The main lip of the flower, called the labellum, is shaped like an egg. It is about 10 centimeters (4 inches) long. It is whitish-green with a pink or red tip that curls up. The edges of the labellum have a fringe. There are also four to six rows of red bumps, called calli, along its middle.
How It Got Its Name
The pink-lipped spider orchid was first officially described in 1847. A scientist named Diederich Schlechtendal gave it its scientific name, Caladenia behrii. The second part of its name, behrii, honors a German-American plant expert named Hans Hermann Behr.
Where Does It Live?
This special orchid grows in only two small areas in South Australia. One area is near the towns of Kersbrook and Williamstown. The other area is close to Belair and Clarendon. It likes to grow in woodlands where the soil is rich and clay-like.
How Does It Reproduce?
Like many other spider orchids, the pink-lipped spider orchid is pollinated by male thynnid wasps. These wasps try to mate with the orchid's labellum because it looks and smells like a female wasp. This helps the orchid spread its pollen.
Because this orchid is endangered, people sometimes help it reproduce. They do this by hand-pollinating the flowers. Studies have shown that when pollen from different plants is used, or even just a small amount of pollen, more and healthier seeds are produced. Unlike some other orchids, fire does not make more Caladenia behrii flowers grow.
Protecting This Orchid
The pink-lipped spider orchid is a very rare plant. It is listed as "Endangered" by the Government of South Australia. It is also protected by the Australian Government under a law called the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). This means it is very important to protect this orchid and its habitat.
