Grampians spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grampians spider orchid |
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| Caladenia grampiana in the Grampians National Park | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
grampiana
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| Synonyms | |
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Arachnorchis grampiana D.L.Jones |
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The Grampians spider orchid (scientific name: Caladenia grampiana) is a special kind of plant. It belongs to the orchid family. You can only find this beautiful flower in one place: the Grampians National Park in Victoria, Australia. This means it is endemic to that area.
It's a ground orchid, which means it grows in the soil. It has a single hairy leaf and usually one or two flowers. These flowers can be pale yellow-brown or pinkish. They look a bit like another orchid called Caladenia oenochila.
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What Does It Look Like?
The Grampians spider orchid is a terrestrial plant. This means it grows in the ground. It is also a perennial plant, so it lives for more than two years. It's a deciduous herb, which means its leaves fall off each year.
Under the ground, it has a special storage part called a tuber. It grows one hairy leaf that is about 50–100 mm (2–4 in) long. This leaf is about 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide and has a reddish base.
One or two flowers grow on a stem called a spike. This spike can be about 150–260 mm (6–10 in) tall. The flowers have parts called sepals. These sepals are about 32–55 mm (1–2 in) long and 2.5–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. They are pale yellow-brown or pinkish and have tips that droop downwards.
The petals of the flower are similar to the sepals but a bit shorter. The orchid also has a special lip-like petal called a labellum. This labellum is about 13–17 mm (0.5–0.7 in) long and 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide. It curves forward, with its tip rolled down and its sides turned up.
The labellum can be cream-colored or red. It has small, tooth-like parts, about 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 in) long, along its sides. There are also four to six rows of small bumps called calli along its middle. These orchids usually bloom in August or September.
How It Got Its Name
The Grampians spider orchid was first officially described in 2006. A botanist named David L. Jones gave it the name Arachnorchis grampiana. He published this description in a scientific book called Australian Orchid Research.
Then, in 2007, another botanist named Gary Backhouse changed its name. He renamed it Caladenia grampiana. This new name was published in The Victorian Naturalist.
Where Does It Live?
The Grampians spider orchid is only found in the Grampians National Park. This is in the state of Victoria, Australia. It likes to grow in areas with heathy woodland. It prefers soil that drains water well, so it doesn't get too wet.
Protecting This Special Orchid
The Grampians spider orchid is a very rare plant. The government of Victoria has classified it as "vulnerable." This means it is at risk of becoming extinct if we don't protect it.
It is also listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. This law helps to protect plants and animals in Victoria that are in danger.
