Cherry spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cherry spider orchid |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Caladenia gardneri growing near Augusta | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
|
| Species: |
gardneri
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The Caladenia gardneri, also called the cherry spider orchid, is a unique type of orchid. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This orchid has a single, fuzzy leaf. It also grows up to three pale pink flowers. These flowers have a sweet smell and a dark pinkish-red labellum, which is a special lip-like petal.
Contents
What Does the Cherry Spider Orchid Look Like?
The cherry spider orchid is a perennial plant. This means it lives for more than two years. It's also a deciduous herb, so its leaves fall off at certain times. It has an underground tuber, which is like a small storage root.
A single, hairy leaf grows from the tuber. This leaf is usually about 80–200 mm (3–8 in) long and 4–15 mm (0.2–0.6 in) wide.
The plant produces up to three flowers. These flowers are about 60–80 mm (2–3 in) long and 40–80 mm (2–3 in) wide. They grow on a stalk that is 100–200 mm (4–8 in) tall. The flowers smell sweet and are white with a pink blush.
Flower Parts
The orchid's sepals and petals spread out wide. Their ends curve downwards. The side sepals have narrow, club-like tips that produce a sticky substance. The top sepal stands straight up. It is about 40–60 mm (1.6–2.4 in) long.
The side sepals are about 40–75 mm (2–3 in) long. The petals are a bit shorter, around 30–55 mm (1–2 in) long.
The labellum is the most striking part. It is 17–25 mm (0.7–1 in) long and 7–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide. It has a dark pinkish-red color. The sides of the labellum have spreading teeth that can be up to 6 mm (0.2 in) long. The very tip of the labellum curves downwards.
In the middle of the labellum, there are four rows of dark pink bumps called calli. These calli are about 2 mm (0.08 in) long.
This beautiful orchid usually blooms from September to early November.
How It Got Its Name
The Caladenia gardneri was first officially described in 2001. Two botanists, Stephen Hopper and Andrew Phillip Brown, found a sample of this orchid near Pemberton. They wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia.
The second part of its scientific name, gardneri, was chosen to honor George Gardner. He was a person who loved studying nature, even though it wasn't his main job.
Where It Lives
The cherry spider orchid grows in Western Australia. You can find it between Yallingup and William Bay. It prefers to grow in coastal woodlands and areas with low, dense shrubs, which are called heathlands. These areas are part of the Jarrah Forest and Warren biogeographic regions.
Is It Endangered?
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at the cherry spider orchid. They have officially said that it is "not threatened." This means there are enough of these orchids in the wild, and they are not currently in danger of disappearing.
