Windswept spider-orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Windswept spider-orchid |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
dienema
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The windswept spider-orchid, known scientifically as Caladenia dienema, is a special type of plant. It belongs to the orchid family and grows only in Tasmania, Australia. This ground orchid has a single, fuzzy leaf. It also has one flower, which can be many different colors, but is usually dark red. The flower grows on a thin, flexible stem that is about 5 to 12 centimeters (2 to 5 inches) tall.
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What Does the Windswept Spider-Orchid Look Like?
The windswept spider-orchid is a perennial plant. This means it lives for more than two years. It is also a deciduous herb, which means its leaves fall off at certain times of the year. It grows from an underground tuber, which is like a small storage root. These orchids can grow alone or in small, loose groups.
Leaves and Stems
Each orchid has one fuzzy leaf. This leaf is shaped like a narrow spear. It is usually 4 to 9 centimeters (2 to 4 inches) long and 3 to 7 millimeters (0.1 to 0.3 inches) wide. The leaf is a dull green color. It often has purple spots near its base. The thin, flexible stem that holds the flower is also fuzzy. It grows to be about 5 to 12 centimeters (2 to 5 inches) tall.
Flowers and Their Features
The windswept spider-orchid usually has one or two flowers on each stem. Each flower can be quite large, about 60 to 90 millimeters (2 to 4 inches) across. The flowers come in many colors. They are often dark red, but can also be almost white, yellow, or different shades of red. They usually have darker red lines on them.
The flower has several parts:
- The dorsal sepal is the top part. It is long and narrow, about 40 to 60 millimeters (2 to 2 inches) long. It ends in a thin, dark, sticky tip.
- The lateral sepals are the two side parts. They are similar in size and shape to the dorsal sepal. They also have sticky tips.
- The petals are slightly narrower than the sepals. They also have sticky tips. Both the lateral sepals and petals spread out wide. They often turn downwards or droop.
The labellum is the orchid's special lip. It is shaped like a wide spear or an egg when flattened. It is about 13 to 20 millimeters (0.5 to 0.8 inches) long. The tip of the labellum curls forward. Along its edges, there are 13 to 18 pairs of small, narrow teeth. These teeth can be up to 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) long. In the center of the labellum, there are four to six rows of upright, hockey stick-shaped bumps called calli.
The column is a central part of the flower. It is about 12 to 14 millimeters (0.5 to 0.6 inches) long and about 1.5 millimeters (0.06 inches) wide. It is yellow and has wide "wings."
When Does it Flower?
This orchid blooms in October and November. After flowering, it produces a reddish fruit. This fruit is a capsule, which is a dry case that holds seeds. The capsule is about 12 to 18 millimeters (0.5 to 0.7 inches) long.
How Was the Windswept Spider-Orchid Named?
The scientific name Caladenia dienema was first officially described in 1998. This was done by a botanist named David L. Jones. He published his description in a scientific journal called Australian Orchid Research.
The name dienema comes from a Latin word, dienemus. This word means "bleak" or "windswept." Jones chose this name because of the windy places where this orchid grows. The word Dienemos is also a Greek word that means "windswept."
Where Does the Windswept Spider-Orchid Live?
The windswept spider-orchid grows in low, windswept areas. These areas are often called heathlands. It also lives in rocky parts of woodlands that have heath plants. You can find it near the coast of Tasmania. It grows north of the Pieman River, especially around Temma and Marrawah. It was also once seen on the north-west coast near Stanley.
Why is This Orchid Endangered?
The windswept spider-orchid is considered "Endangered." This means it is at a high risk of disappearing forever. Both the Tasmanian Government and the Australian Government have laws to protect it. These laws are the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
The main reasons this orchid is in danger are:
- Land clearing: When land is cleared for buildings or farms, the orchid's habitat is destroyed.
- Agricultural practices: Farming methods can harm the orchid's growing areas.
- Recreational activities: Things like off-road vehicles or too many people walking in its habitat can damage the plants.
- Inappropriate fire regimes: Fires that happen too often, not often enough, or at the wrong time can hurt the orchid's ability to grow and reproduce.
