Butterfly orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Butterfly orchid |
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| C. lobata growing near Mount Barker Western Australia. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
lobata
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The Caladenia lobata, often called the butterfly orchid, is a unique type of orchid. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This plant has a single, hairy leaf. It produces one or two greenish-yellow flowers with red patterns. A special part of the flower, called the labellum, moves and vibrates even with a tiny breeze.
Contents
What Does the Butterfly Orchid Look Like?
The butterfly orchid, Caladenia lobata, has one leaf that stands straight up. This leaf is hairy and can be about 100–250 mm (4–10 in) long and 10–14 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide.
The Flowers
One or two greenish-yellow flowers grow on a hairy stem. This stem can be 300–500 mm (10–20 in) tall. The flowers themselves are quite large, about 80–100 mm (3–4 in) long and 70–90 mm (3–4 in) wide.
Flower Parts
- The top petal, called the dorsal sepal, stands up. It is about 55–80 mm (2–3 in) long.
- The two side petals, called lateral sepals, curve upwards. They are also about 55–80 mm (2–3 in) long. These sepals have narrow, club-like tips.
- The other petals spread out or curve downwards. They are about 50–60 mm (2.0–2.4 in) long.
The Labellum
The most interesting part is the labellum. It is about 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) long and 30–35 mm (1.2–1.4 in) wide. It is greenish-yellow with a red tip that curls down. This labellum is very delicate. It is hinged so it can vibrate with the smallest gust of wind! Its sides spread wide or turn upwards. It has many teeth-like parts, up to 12 mm (0.5 in) long. There are also six to eight rows of red bumps, called calli, in the middle.
When Does it Bloom?
You can see the butterfly orchid flowering from late September to November.
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How the Butterfly Orchid Got Its Name
The Caladenia lobata was first officially described in 1882. This was done by a person named Robert D. FitzGerald. He wrote about it in a magazine called The Gardeners' Chronicle. He described it as "A tall robust species, probably the tallest in the genus. From 1 foot 6 inches to 2 feet, hairy."
The second part of its scientific name, lobata, comes from a Latin word. It means "lobed". This refers to the wide, rounded parts of the labellum.
Where Does the Butterfly Orchid Live?
The butterfly orchid usually grows in dense, bushy forests. It prefers soil that drains well, like grey sand, gravel, or clay. You can often find it on flat areas or slopes near streams.
It is found between Bunbury and the Stirling Range. These areas are in the Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, and Swan Coastal Plain regions of Western Australia.
