Pink caps facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pink caps |
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| Caladenia clarkiae growing near Mallacoota | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
clarkiae
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| Synonyms | |
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Stegostyla clarkiae (D.L.Jones) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. |
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Caladenia clarkiae, often called pink caps, is a special plant from the orchid family. It grows only in south-eastern Australia. This ground orchid can be found growing alone or in small groups. You can spot them in Victoria and New South Wales. Each plant usually has one leaf and one or two flowers. The flowers are white to light pink with darker pink tips.
What Pink Caps Look Like
Caladenia clarkiae is a plant that lives for many years. It grows from an underground tuber (like a small potato). It's a deciduous plant, meaning its leaves die back in some seasons. It has one long, thin leaf, about 4 to 10 cm (1.5 to 4 inches) long. This leaf is only about 1 to 2 mm (0.04 to 0.08 inches) wide and has a few hairs.
The plant usually has one or two flowers, but sometimes up to four. These flowers grow on a stem about 5 to 12 cm (2 to 5 inches) tall. The flowers are white, pink, or purple. They often have darker pink or magenta tips. Sometimes, they even have red stripes in the middle. Each flower is about 5 cm (2 inches) wide.
Flower Parts
The dorsal sepal (the top part of the flower) is shaped like a line or an egg. It's about 9 to 11 mm (0.35 to 0.43 inches) long. It curves forward over the labellum (the orchid's special lip petal). The lateral sepals (side parts) and petals are about 9 to 13 mm (0.35 to 0.5 inches) long. They are covered with light red hairs on the outside. These parts are curved and spread out wide.
The labellum is the main part of the flower's lip. It's about 6 to 7 mm (0.24 to 0.28 inches) long. It can be pink or white with pink spots. Along the edges of the labellum, there are small, golf-stick shaped bumps called calli. In the center, there are four rows of yellow to white calli. The column (the central part of the flower) is greenish with red marks. Pink caps usually bloom from September to November.
How Pink Caps Got Their Name
The scientific name Caladenia clarkiae was first officially written down by a scientist named David L. Jones in 1991. He published his description in a research paper called Australian Orchid Research. The first plant used to describe this species was found in the Colquhoun State Forest. The second part of the name, clarkiae, honors "Ruth Clark of Lakes Entrance." She was an orchid fan and helped David Jones with his work.
Where Pink Caps Live
This type of caladenia orchid grows in eastern Victoria and in New South Wales. In New South Wales, you can find it south of Eden. It likes to grow in forests among grasses or small bushes. It prefers soil that drains water well.
