Redleaf fingers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Redleaf fingers |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
chamaephylla
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| Synonyms | |
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Petalochilus chamaephyllus (D.L.Jones) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. |
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The Redleaf Fingers (Caladenia chamaephylla) is a special type of orchid plant. It belongs to the orchid family, called Orchidaceae. You can only find this plant in Queensland, Australia. It's a ground orchid, meaning it grows in the soil. This plant has one leaf that lies flat on the ground. It also grows a single pink flower. The back of the flower is a brownish-pink color. You can see these unique flowers in late autumn or winter.
What Redleaf Fingers Looks Like
The Redleaf Fingers orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It has a special underground part called a tuber, which stores food. This plant is a perennial, meaning it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, so it loses its leaves at certain times.
It has one leaf that lies flat on the ground. This leaf is usually 30 to 100 millimeters (about 1 to 4 inches) long. It is also about 3 to 6 millimeters (less than half an inch) wide.
A single pink flower grows on a tall stem. This stem can be 80 to 160 millimeters (about 3 to 6 inches) high. The flower itself is about 12 to 15 millimeters long and 15 to 20 millimeters wide. The back of the flower has a brownish-pink color.
The flower has different parts. The top part is called the dorsal sepal. It stands up straight. The two side parts are called lateral sepals. They spread out like a fan. The petals are also spread out in front of the flower.
The most interesting part is the labellum, or "lip," of the flower. It is white or light pink with dark pink stripes. The tip of the labellum curves down. It has small teeth along its sides. There are also two rows of yellow bumps, called calli, in the middle. These orchids usually bloom from May to July.
How Redleaf Fingers Got Its Name
The Redleaf Fingers orchid was first officially described in 1999. A scientist named David Jones gave it its scientific name, Caladenia chamaephylla. He wrote about it in a magazine called The Orchadian.
The second part of its name, chamaephylla, comes from Ancient Greek words. "Chamai" means "on the ground." "Phyllon" means "leaf." So, chamaephylla describes its leaf that lies flat on the ground.
Where Redleaf Fingers Lives
You can find the Redleaf Fingers orchid growing in open forests. It likes to grow among small shrubs. This special plant only lives in a small area south of Cooktown in Queensland, Australia.
