Starry spider orchid facts for kids
The starry spider orchid (Caladenia stellata) is a special type of orchid that grows only in south-eastern Australia. It's called a "spider orchid" because its flowers look a bit like a spider, and "starry" because its petals spread out like a star! This plant grows from the ground, has a single hairy leaf, and usually shows off one beautiful greenish-cream flower with red marks.
Quick facts for kids Starry spider orchid |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
stellata
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Contents
What the Starry Spider Orchid Looks Like
The starry spider orchid is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It grows from an underground tuber, which is like a small storage root. This plant is also a deciduous herb, so its leaves might fall off during certain seasons.
It has one dull green leaf that feels hairy. This leaf is usually 60 to 150 mm long and 5 to 10 mm wide. You might see reddish-purple spots near the bottom of the leaf.
Usually, only one flower grows on a stem that stands 120 to 300 mm tall. Each flower is about 40 mm wide and is a greenish-cream color. The flower has special parts called sepals and petals. The sepals have thick, dark red, club-shaped tips that are 5 to 10 mm long.
The top sepal stands up straight and curves a little forward. The two side sepals spread out wide and curve slightly downwards. The petals also curve downwards.
The labellum is a special lip-like part of the flower. It is 12 to 18 mm long and 7 to 13 mm wide. It's greenish-cream with a dark red tip. The sides of the labellum curve upwards, and its tip curls under. There are also six to eight small, tooth-like bumps on each side. Along the middle of the labellum, there are four rows of dark red, club-shaped bumps called calli. These orchids bloom from August to October.
How the Orchid Got Its Name
The scientific name for this orchid is Caladenia stellata. It was first officially described in 1991 by a botanist named David Jones.
The second part of its name, stellata, comes from a Latin word. "Stellata" means "starry." This name was chosen because the side sepals and petals of the flower spread out, making it look a bit like a star.
Where the Starry Spider Orchid Lives
The starry spider orchid is found in south-eastern Australia. You can find it in New South Wales, south of Rankins Springs. It also grows in eastern South Australia.
This orchid usually grows in a type of forest called Callitris woodland. Scientists are still studying if the plants in South Australia might be a slightly different species.
How the Orchid is Pollinated
The starry spider orchid has a special way of getting pollinated. It attracts male wasps from a species called Phymatothynnus nitidus.
These male wasps try to mate with the orchid flower because it looks and smells like a female wasp. When the wasp tries to mate with the flower, it helps to carry pollen from one flower to another. This process is how the orchid reproduces and makes seeds.
