Hoffman's spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hoffman's spider orchid |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
hoffmanii
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| Synonyms | |
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Calonemorchis hoffmanii (Hopper & A.P.Br.) Szlach. & Rutk. |
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Caladenia hoffmanii, also known as Hoffman's spider orchid, is a special type of orchid. It only grows in the south-west part of Western Australia. This unique plant has a single, fuzzy leaf. It also has one or two greenish-yellow, red, and white flowers. Each flower has a greenish-yellow "lip" (called a labellum) with a red tip.
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What Does Hoffman's Spider Orchid Look Like?
Hoffman's spider orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It's a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It grows from an underground tuber, which is like a storage part. The plant has one upright, hairy leaf, about 8 to 15 centimetres (3 to 6 inches) long.
The flowers are quite striking. They are usually 6 to 7 centimetres (2 to 3 inches) long and 4 to 5 centimetres (1.5 to 2 inches) wide. These flowers grow on a stem that can be 12 to 30 centimetres (5 to 12 inches) tall. The flowers are a mix of greenish-yellow, red, and white.
Flower Parts
The flower has special parts called sepals and petals. These parts have narrow, club-shaped tips that are 2 to 10 millimetres (0.1 to 0.4 inches) long.
- The top sepal stands upright. It is about 2 to 2.8 centimetres (0.8 to 1.1 inches) long.
- The side sepals are similar in size but curve downwards.
- The petals are 1.7 to 2.5 centimetres (0.7 to 1 inch) long and also curve downwards.
The most interesting part is the labellum, or "lip," of the flower. It is about 1.2 to 1.4 centimetres (0.5 to 0.6 inches) long. This labellum is greenish-yellow and white. Its sides have many upright "teeth" that can be up to 5 millimetres (0.2 inches) long. The very tip of the labellum is dark red and curves downwards. There are also four rows of small red bumps, called calli, along the center of the labellum. These bumps get smaller towards the tip.
When Does It Flower?
You can see Hoffman's spider orchid blooming from August to September. It looks a bit like the Pingaring spider orchid, but the Pingaring orchid has larger calli and grows in a different area further south.
How Hoffman's Spider Orchid Got Its Name
The Hoffman's spider orchid was first officially described in 2001. This was done by two scientists, Stephen Hopper and Andrew Phillip Brown. They found a specimen (a sample) of the orchid in the Morseby Range.
The special part of its scientific name, hoffmanii, was chosen to honor Noel Hoffman. He is an author who wrote books about the amazing orchids found in Western Australia.
Where Does Hoffman's Spider Orchid Live?
This orchid grows in a specific area of Western Australia. You can find it between Geraldton and the Murchison River. It prefers to grow on rocky hillsides, often hidden under thick shrubs. This area is known as the Geraldton Sandplains.
Protecting Hoffman's Spider Orchid
Sadly, Hoffman's spider orchid is a rare and endangered plant. The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife lists it as "Threatened Flora." This means it's a very important plant that needs protection. The Australian Government also lists it as "Endangered" under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Threats to the Orchid
Several things threaten the survival of this beautiful orchid:
- Grazing animals: Wild pigs (called Sus scrofa) and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) eat the plants.
- Fires: Fires that happen at the wrong time or too often can harm the orchid's habitat.
Protecting these special plants helps keep our natural world diverse and healthy for everyone.
