Upright spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Upright spider orchid |
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| Caladenia stricta growing north-west of Horsham | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
stricta
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| Synonyms | |
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Arachnorchis stricta (R.J.Bates) D.L.Jones and M.A.Clem. |
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The Caladenia stricta, often called the upright spider orchid or rigid-combed spider-orchid, is a unique plant. It is part of the amazing orchid family. This special orchid grows only in southern Australia. It is a ground orchid, meaning it grows in the soil. It has a single leaf and usually just one pale green flower. This flower has cool red lines on its sepals and petals.
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What Does the Upright Spider Orchid Look Like?
The Upright spider orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It is a perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, so some parts might fall off during certain seasons. This orchid is a herb and has a special underground part called a tuber.
It has one dull green leaf that feels hairy. This leaf is usually 60–100 mm long and 10–15 mm wide. You might see reddish spots near the bottom of the leaf.
The Flowers
Usually, only one flower grows on a tall stem, which is 150–400 mm high. The flowers are about 25–40 mm wide. They are pale green with stripes in the middle of their sepals and petals. These parts get thinner towards their ends.
The top sepal, called the dorsal sepal, stands up straight. It is 25–33 mm long and 2–3 mm wide. This sepal gently curves forward. The side sepals, called lateral sepals, are about the same size. They usually curve downwards and sometimes cross each other.
The petals are 16–23 mm long and 2–3 mm wide. They either stay flat or curve downwards. The most interesting part is the labellum, which is like the orchid's "lip." It is 15–17 mm long and 14–16 mm wide. The labellum is pale green with a pale yellow center and a dark red tip.
Special Features of the Labellum
Each side of the labellum has five to seven thin green "teeth" that can be up to 5 mm long. The very tip of the labellum curls under. You will also see four to six rows of thick, reddish-black bumps. These bumps are called calli and are up to 2 mm long. They are packed closely together along the middle of the labellum.
This orchid usually blooms from September to November.
How Did the Upright Spider Orchid Get Its Name?
This orchid was first officially described in 1984. A scientist named Robert Bates found a sample of it on the Yorke Peninsula. He first named it Caladenia dilatata var. stricta. He wrote about it in a science journal.
Later, in 1987, Robert Bates decided it was special enough to be its own species. So, he changed its name to Caladenia stricta. The word stricta comes from Latin and means "draw together."
Where Does This Orchid Live?
The Upright spider orchid grows in a few specific places. You can find it in the Little Desert and Big Desert areas of Victoria. It also lives in the south-eastern parts of South Australia.
It prefers to grow in areas with mallee scrub and woodland. These are types of forests with certain kinds of trees and bushes.
Is the Upright Spider Orchid in Danger?
Yes, the Caladenia stricta is considered "vulnerable" in Victoria. This means it is at risk of becoming endangered. The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 is a law that helps protect plants and animals in Victoria. This law helps keep an eye on species like the Upright spider orchid to make sure they survive.
