Pungent spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pungent spider orchid |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
osmera
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| Synonyms | |
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Arachnorchis osmera D.L.Jones |
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Caladenia osmera is a special type of plant called an orchid. It grows only in the southeastern part of Australia. This orchid grows from the ground and has a single leaf. Its flowers are usually greenish-cream with pink stripes. What makes this orchid really stand out is its strong smell, which some people say is like burnt plastic!
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About the Pungent Spider Orchid
The Pungent Spider Orchid, Caladenia osmera, is a plant that grows from the ground. It's a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years and comes back each growing season. It also has an underground tuber, which is like a storage part for nutrients.
What Does It Look Like?
This orchid has one leaf that is about 6 to 12 centimeters (2.4 to 4.7 inches) long and 0.5 to 1 centimeter (0.2 to 0.4 inches) wide. It usually grows one or two flowers on a stem that can be 15 to 30 centimeters (5.9 to 11.8 inches) tall.
The flowers are greenish-cream or cream-colored with pink stripes and spots. They have a very strong smell, like burnt plastic.
Flower Parts Explained
The flowers have special parts called sepals and petals. These are like the "leaves" of the flower. On this orchid, the sepals and petals have dark red, club-like tips. These tips are about 0.5 to 1.2 centimeters (0.2 to 0.5 inches) long.
The sepals and petals themselves are 2 to 4.5 centimeters (0.8 to 1.8 inches) long. The petals are a bit shorter than the sepals. They spread out wide or curve downwards.
There's also a special lip-like part called the labellum. On this orchid, the labellum is greenish-cream with a dark red tip. It's about 1.1 to 1.3 centimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) long and 0.7 to 0.9 centimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) wide. The sides of the labellum curve upwards and have small, tooth-like parts. Near the bottom of the labellum, there are rows of tiny bumps called calli, which are about 1 millimeter (0.04 inches) long.
This orchid usually blooms in September and October.
How It Got Its Name
This orchid was first officially described in 2006 by a botanist named David Jones. He first named it Arachnorchis osmera. Later, in 2007, another botanist, Gary Backhouse, changed its name to Caladenia osmera.
The second part of its name, osmera, comes from an Ancient Greek word osme, which means "smell" or "odour." This name was chosen because of the orchid's strong floral scent.
Where It Lives
The Pungent Spider Orchid, Caladenia osmera, is currently only known to grow in areas east of Bruthen in Victoria, Australia. It likes to grow in tall mountain forests. Scientists think it might also grow in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales.
Why It Needs Protection
This orchid is considered "vulnerable" in Victoria. This means it's a plant that could become endangered if we don't protect it. It's listed under a law called the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, which helps protect special plants and animals.
