Albany spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Albany spider orchid |
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|---|---|
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Genus: | Caladenia |
| Species: |
C. pholcoidea
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| Subspecies: |
C. p. subsp. pholcoidea
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| Trinomial name | |
| Caladenia pholcoidea subsp. pholcoidea |
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| Synonyms | |
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Arachnorchis pholcoidea (Hopper & A.P.Br.) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. subsp. pholcoidea |
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The Albany spider orchid (scientific name: Caladenia pholcoidea subsp. pholcoidea) is a special type of orchid flower. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This unique plant has a single fuzzy leaf. Its flowers are pale yellow and have long, dangly parts that look a bit like a spider!
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What Does the Albany Spider Orchid Look Like?
The Albany spider orchid is a ground-dwelling plant. This means it grows in the soil, not on other plants. It is also a perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years and has soft stems, not woody ones.
It has an underground tuber, which is like a small storage root. From this tuber, a single, upright, hairy leaf grows. This leaf is about 10 to 20 centimeters (4 to 8 inches) long. It is also about 6 to 10 millimeters (0.2 to 0.4 inches) wide.
The Unique Flowers
The orchid produces up to four pale yellow flowers. These flowers are quite large, about 15 to 22 centimeters (6 to 9 inches) long. They grow on a tall stem, which can be 30 to 60 centimeters (1 to 2 feet) high.
The flower parts have long, brown, thread-like tips that hang down. These parts include the sepals and petals.
- The top sepal, called the dorsal sepal, curves forward. It is about 5 to 14 centimeters (2 to 6 inches) long.
- The two side sepals are called lateral sepals. They spread out or point downwards. They are about 4.5 to 15 centimeters (2 to 6 inches) long.
- The petals are similar to the lateral sepals. They are about 3.5 to 10.5 centimeters (1 to 4 inches) long.
The Labellum
The most interesting part of the flower is the labellum. This is a special lip-like petal. It is about 1.5 to 2 centimeters (0.6 to 0.8 inches) long. It is white or cream-colored.
The sides of the labellum curve upwards. They have upright "teeth" that can be up to 6 millimeters (0.2 inches) long. The very tip of the labellum curves downwards. In the center of the labellum, there are four or more rows of pink bumps. These bumps are called calli.
The Albany spider orchid usually blooms from November to early January.
How the Orchid Got Its Name
The Albany spider orchid was first officially described in 2001. Two scientists, Stephen Hopper and Andrew Phillip Brown, gave it its scientific name. They published their findings in a science journal called Nuytsia.
The name pholcoidea comes from the word "Pholcus." This refers to a common spider known as the "daddy long-legs spider" (Pholcus phalangioides). The scientists thought the orchid's flowers looked a lot like this spider. The ending -oidea means "likeness" in Latin. So, pholcoidea means "spider-like."
Where Does the Albany Spider Orchid Live?
You can find the Albany spider orchid in the south-west of Western Australia. It grows in areas between Albany and Augusta. These areas include the Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, and Warren regions.
This orchid usually grows around the edges of swamps. These swamps are often wet during the winter months.
Is the Albany Spider Orchid Safe?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at the Albany spider orchid. They have classified it as "not threatened." This means that, for now, there are enough of these orchids, and they are not in danger of disappearing.
