Neat spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Neat spider orchid |
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Scientific classification | |
Genus: |
Caladenia
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Species: |
concinna
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Synonyms | |
Arachnorchis concinna (Rupp) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. |
The Caladenia concinna, also known as the neat spider orchid, is a special plant from the orchid family. It grows only in Australia, meaning it's endemic there. This orchid is a ground plant with a single hairy leaf. It usually has one greenish flower with cool red stripes on its petals and sepals.
Contents
What Does the Neat Spider Orchid Look Like?
The Caladenia concinna is a plant that grows from an underground tuber, which is like a small potato. It's a perennial, meaning it lives for many years, and deciduous, so it loses its leaves in some seasons.
Leaves and Flowers
- It has one hairy leaf that looks like a spear. This leaf can grow up to 12 cm (about 5 inches) long and 8 mm (about 0.3 inches) wide. It often has red spots near its base.
- The plant usually has one or two flowers on a stem that can reach 20 cm (about 8 inches) tall.
- The sepals and petals of the flower are greenish with red stripes. They are about 35 mm (about 1.4 inches) long.
- The ends of the sepals and petals have a thin "tail." Sometimes, these tails have small, yellowish bumps called glands.
- The sepals and petals usually hang downwards.
The Labellum (Lip)
- The labellum is the orchid's special lip-like petal. For this orchid, it's wide and has a few short, blunt teeth along its edges.
- The labellum is about 10 mm (about 0.4 inches) long and wide.
- It's mostly greenish with a maroon (dark reddish-purple) tip.
- In the center of the labellum, there are six rows of swollen, club-shaped structures called calli.
- This orchid blooms, or flowers, in September and October.
How Did the Neat Spider Orchid Get Its Name?
This orchid was first officially described in 1928 by a person named Herman Rupp. He first called it Caladenia dilatata var. concinna. This description was published in a science journal. The first sample of the plant used for its description was found near Griffith.
Changing Its Name
- In 1989, two scientists, David L. Jones and Mark Clements, decided that this orchid was special enough to be its own species.
- They gave it the name Caladenia concinna.
- The word concinna comes from Latin. It means "skilfully put together," "beautiful," or "appropriate." This name perfectly describes the neat and pretty look of the orchid!
Where Does the Neat Spider Orchid Grow?
The Caladenia concinna likes to grow in areas with thin scrub, which are small bushes and plants. It is often found in woodlands where cypress-pine trees grow.
Its Home in Australia
- You can find this orchid in several parts of Australia.
- It grows in South Australia and Tasmania.
- In New South Wales, it is found in specific areas like Griffith, Eugowra, and Hillston.