Pygmy finger orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pygmy finger orchid |
|
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
|
| Species: |
pygmaea
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Caladenia carnea var. pygmaea R.S.Rogers |
|
The Caladenia pygmaea, also known as the pygmy finger orchid, is a special plant from the orchid family. It grows only in South Australia. This small ground orchid has a single, slightly hairy leaf that stands up straight. It also has a single pink flower with red stripes on its labellum, which is a special part of the orchid flower. This orchid used to be considered a type of Caladenia carnea, but now it has its own unique name.
What the Pygmy Finger Orchid Looks Like
The Pygmy finger orchid is a small plant that grows from an underground part called a tuber. It is a perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, meaning its leaves fall off at certain times. This plant is a herb, which means it has soft stems.
It has one leaf that stands up straight. This leaf is a bit hairy and is about 20 to 30 millimeters (less than 2 inches) long and 2 to 3 millimeters wide. The orchid usually has just one flower, which is about 5 to 6 millimeters wide. This flower grows on a stem that is 50 to 100 millimeters (about 2 to 4 inches) tall.
The flower's sepals and petals are light pink on the front. On the back, they are light green and slightly hairy. The top sepal curves forward, making a little hood over the center part of the flower called the column. The side sepals and petals are about the same size as the top sepal. The petals spread out, and the side sepals often touch each other.
The labellum is about 3 millimeters long and 2 millimeters wide. It can be pink or white and has red stripes. The sides of the labellum curve upwards, almost wrapping around the column. The very tip of the labellum is a small yellow triangle with a few blunt teeth on its sides. These orchids usually bloom in October.
How the Pygmy Finger Orchid Got Its Name
The Pygmy finger orchid was first officially described in 1927 by a scientist named Richard Sanders Rogers. He first called it Caladenia carnea var. pygmaea. Later, in 2014, another scientist named Robert Bates changed its name to Caladenia pygmaea. He published this new name in a magazine called Australian Orchid Review.
The word pygmaea comes from Latin. It means "dwarf" or "pygmy," which makes sense because this orchid is quite small!
Where the Pygmy Finger Orchid Lives
The Pygmy finger orchid grows in the southeastern part of South Australia. It likes to grow in woodlands, especially in soil that is hard but drains water well.
