Ochre spider orchid facts for kids
The ochre spider orchid (scientific name: Caladenia fuscolutescens) is a special type of orchid that only grows in the south-west part of Western Australia. It gets its name from its brownish-yellow flowers, which can look a bit like a spider. This orchid has a single, hairy leaf and usually blooms after a bushfire.
Quick facts for kids Ochre spider orchid |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
fuscolutescens
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Contents
What Does the Ochre Spider Orchid Look Like?
The ochre spider orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber (like a small potato). It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, so it sheds its leaves at certain times. This orchid has one upright, hairy leaf that is about 70–150 mm (3–6 in) long and 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) wide.
Flowers of the Ochre Spider Orchid
One or two flowers grow on a stalk that is about 150–300 mm (6–10 in) tall. Each flower is quite large, measuring 70–130 mm (3–5 in) long and 50–100 mm (2–4 in) wide. The flowers are brownish-yellow.
The parts of the flower are:
- Sepals and Petals: The side sepals and petals have long, thin, brownish tips that hang down. The top sepal stands upright.
- Labellum: The labellum (which is a special lip-like petal in orchids) is pale yellow with red stripes. It is about 12–17 mm (0.5–0.7 in) long and 8–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) wide. The sides of the labellum have small, brownish-yellow teeth, and its tip curves downwards.
- Calli: There are two rows of anvil-shaped bumps called calli along the center of the labellum.
This orchid usually blooms in September and October. It often flowers well after bushfires have happened in the summer before.
How the Ochre Spider Orchid Got Its Name
The scientific name for this orchid, Caladenia fuscolutescens, was first given in 2001 by two scientists, Stephen Hopper and Andrew Phillip Brown. They described it after finding a sample near a place called Wellstead.
The second part of its name, fuscolutescens, comes from two Latin words:
- fuscus means "dark" or "dusky"
- lutescens means "becoming yellow"
This name perfectly describes the unique brownish-yellow color of the flowers.
Where the Ochre Spider Orchid Lives
The ochre spider orchid can be found in a specific area of Western Australia, between Albany and Wellstead. It grows in areas with scrub (low bushes) and woodland. You can usually find it in sandy soil.
Is the Ochre Spider Orchid Safe?
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has classified Caladenia fuscolutescens as "not threatened." This means that, for now, there are enough of these orchids, and they are not considered to be in danger of disappearing.
