Rosy spider orchid facts for kids
The rosy spider orchid, officially known as Caladenia pallida, is a very special type of orchid. It grows only in Tasmania, an island state of Australia. This means it is endemic to Tasmania, found nowhere else in the world! It has a single dark green, hairy leaf and beautiful yellowish to bright, rosy pink flowers. Sadly, no one has seen a living rosy spider orchid plant since 1987, making it extremely rare.
Quick facts for kids Rosy spider orchid |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
pallida
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| Synonyms | |
Contents
What Does the Rosy Spider Orchid Look Like?
The rosy spider orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It also has a small underground tuber, which is like a storage organ. The plant has one dark green leaf that is quite hairy and shaped like a spear. This leaf is about 80–140 mm (3–6 in) long and 70–80 mm (2.8–3.1 in) wide.
The Unique Flowers
Each plant usually has one or two flowers. These flowers are yellowish to bright, rosy pink and measure about 45 mm (2 in) across. They grow on a stalk that can be 150–400 mm (6–20 in) tall.
The flowers have special parts called sepals. These sepals have dark, tiny tips that look like glands. The top sepal stands straight up and is about 30–45 mm (1–2 in) long. The two side sepals also measure 30–45 mm (1–2 in) long. They spread out wide and stiffly, but their tips hang down a bit.
The petals of the flower are about 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) long and are arranged like the side sepals. The most interesting part is the labellum, which is a special lip-like petal. It is about 9–11 mm (0.35–0.43 in) long and 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) wide, with its tip curled underneath. The labellum has five to eight small, finger-like teeth on each side. It also has four rows of special bumps called calli down its middle, which look a bit like hockey sticks.
When Does it Flower?
The rosy spider orchid usually flowers in October and November.
How Was the Rosy Spider Orchid Named?
The rosy spider orchid was first officially described in 1840. A scientist named John Lindley gave it its scientific name, Caladenia pallida. This description was published in a book called The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants.
The word pallida comes from Latin. It means "pale" or "ashen," which might refer to the lighter color of some parts of the flower.
Where Does the Rosy Spider Orchid Live?
The rosy spider orchid has mostly been found in the central and north-west parts of Tasmania. It prefers to grow in open forests. The last time anyone saw this species was in 1987, on private land. Before that, some plants were found between the cities of Hobart and New Norfolk.
Why is the Rosy Spider Orchid Endangered?
The rosy spider orchid is considered a very rare and threatened plant. It is listed as "Critically Endangered" by the Australian Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The Tasmanian Government also lists it as "Endangered" under their Threatened Species Protection Act 1995.
What are the Main Threats?
Scientists believe the biggest dangers to the rosy spider orchid include:
- Accidental damage: Because there are so few plants left, even a small accident could harm the entire species.
- Climate change: Changes in weather patterns and temperatures can make it harder for the orchid to grow and survive.
- Inappropriate fire: The wrong kind of bushfires, or fires happening at the wrong time, can also hurt the plants and their habitat.
