Clumped spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clumped spider orchid |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Genus: | Caladenia |
| Species: |
C. denticulata
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| Subspecies: |
C. d. subsp. rubella
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| Trinomial name | |
| Caladenia denticulata subsp. rubella A.P.Br. & G.Brockman
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| Synonyms | |
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Caladenia denticulata (Lindl.) subsp. Jarrah forest
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The clumped spider orchid (scientific name: Caladenia denticulata subsp. rubella) is a special type of plant. It belongs to the orchid family, which is known for its beautiful and unique flowers. This orchid is found only in the south-west part of Western Australia. It has one tall, fuzzy leaf and usually one or two flowers. These flowers are often dull red or pinkish-red. They have cool dull red patterns and a white labellum (which is like a special lip petal) with red marks.
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What Does the Clumped Spider Orchid Look Like?
The clumped spider orchid is a ground-growing plant. It's a perennial, meaning it lives for more than two years. It's also deciduous, so its leaves fall off at certain times. This plant has a special underground part called a tuber, which helps it store food.
Leaves and Stems
It grows a single, fuzzy leaf that stands straight up. This leaf is about 6 to 18 centimeters (2.4 to 7.1 inches) long. It's also about 2 to 4 millimeters (0.08 to 0.16 inches) wide. The plant's stem can grow to be 15 to 35 centimeters (5.9 to 13.8 inches) tall.
Flowers
Each stem usually has one or two flowers. These flowers are quite big, about 7 to 10 centimeters (2.8 to 3.9 inches) long. They are also 5 to 9 centimeters (2.0 to 3.5 inches) wide.
The top petal, called the dorsal sepal, stands up. It's about 4 to 7 centimeters (1.6 to 2.8 inches) long. It's thin and has a dark brown, thread-like tip that hangs down. This petal is usually dull red or pinkish-red. Sometimes it can be cream or yellow with clear dull red patterns.
The side petals, called lateral sepals, and the other petals curve outwards. They are similar in size and color to the top petal. However, the main petals are a bit narrower and shorter.
The Labellum
The labellum (the special lip petal) is white with red marks. It curves forward. Along its edges, it has white to light red "teeth" or bumps. These teeth get smaller towards the tip of the labellum. There are also up to 13 pairs of cream-colored bumps, called calli, arranged in two rows. These bumps are shaped like tiny anvils. They run along about half the length of the labellum.
When Does It Flower?
This orchid blooms from August to late September. The dull red or pinkish-red color of its petals and sepals helps tell it apart from other types of Caladenia denticulata orchids.
How It Got Its Name
The Caladenia denticulata orchid was first officially described in 1840. This description was made by a person named John Lindley. It was published in a book called A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony.
Later, in 2015, two people named Andrew Brown and Garry Brockman described three different types, or subspecies, of this orchid. One of these was the rubella subspecies. Their descriptions were published in a scientific journal called Nuytsia.
The name rubella comes from a Latin word, ruber, which means "red." So, rubella means "reddish." This name was chosen because of the reddish color of this orchid's flowers.
Where It Lives
The clumped spider orchid grows in moist (damp) soils. You can find it in several areas of Western Australia. These areas include places near Waroona, Kojonup, and Watheroo. It lives in different biogeographic regions like the Avon Wheatbelt, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest, and Swan Coastal Plain.
Is It Protected?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at the clumped spider orchid. They have decided that Caladenia denticulata subsp. rubella is "not threatened." This means it's not currently in danger of disappearing.
