Tawny spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tawny spider orchid |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
fulva
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| Synonyms | |
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Arachnorchis fulva (G.W.Carr) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. |
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The Caladenia fulva, also known as the tawny spider orchid, is a special type of plant in the orchid family. It grows only in a small area in Victoria, Australia. This ground orchid has a single hairy leaf and usually one or two creamy-white or pale yellow flowers. There are only two small groups of these orchids left, but luckily, both are found in nature reserves.
What Does the Tawny Spider Orchid Look Like?
The tawny spider orchid is a plant that grows from a small, round part called a tuber hidden underground. It's a perennial plant, which means it grows back year after year.
It has one green leaf with some red spots, and it's a bit hairy. This leaf is usually about 5 to 12 centimeters (2 to 5 inches) long.
The orchid typically has one or two creamy-white to pale yellow flowers. Each flower is about 4 to 8 centimeters (1.5 to 3 inches) wide. These flowers grow on a dark, hairy stem that stands about 12 to 25 centimeters (5 to 10 inches) tall.
The parts of the flower that look like petals are called sepals and petals. They are thin and pointy, like threads, and sometimes have red stripes. The top sepal stands straight up, while the side sepals spread out with tips that hang down. The petals are similar to the side sepals.
The most interesting part is the labellum, which is a special lip-like petal. It's shaped like a narrow triangle and is about 1.5 to 1.8 centimeters (0.6 to 0.7 inches) long. Its edges curl up, and its tip rolls under. The labellum is a reddish-yellow color, which is where the name "tawny" comes from. It has many small, pale red teeth along its sides. There are also four to six rows of reddish bumps, called calli, down the middle of the labellum.
These beautiful orchids usually bloom from September to October.
Where Does the Tawny Spider Orchid Live?
The tawny spider orchid is only found in woodland areas near a town called Stawell in Victoria, Australia. It prefers to grow in soil that drains water well.
Why is the Tawny Spider Orchid Endangered?
The tawny spider orchid is considered "endangered" by both the Victorian and Australian governments. This means it's at a very high risk of disappearing forever.
In 2010, experts estimated there were only about 650 plants left in just two small groups. The biggest problems for this orchid are:
- Having such a small number of plants.
- Losing its natural home (habitat) due to human activities.
- Being disturbed by people or animals.
- Invasion by weeds, which can take over the orchid's space and resources.
Even though both groups of these orchids are in nature reserves, they still need our help to survive and thrive.
