Delicate spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Delicate spider orchid |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
subtilis
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| Synonyms | |
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Arachnorchis subtilis (D.L.Jones) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. |
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The Caladenia subtilis, commonly known as the delicate spider orchid, is a special type of orchid. It is found only in New South Wales, Australia. This orchid has just one leaf and a single flower. The flower is usually greenish to cream-colored with dark red tips on its outer parts.
What Does It Look Like?
The delicate spider orchid is a perennial herb. This means it's a plant that lives for many years and has soft, green stems instead of woody ones. It grows from an underground tuber, which is like a small, round storage part. Each plant has one leaf, which is about 50-110 mm (2-4 inches) long and 4-6 mm (0.2-0.2 inches) wide.
A single flower grows on a stalk that is about 150-220 mm (6-9 inches) tall. The flower itself is usually 30-50 mm (1-2 inches) wide. The outer parts of the flower, called sepals, have dark red, club-shaped tips. These tips are about 6-9 mm (0.2-0.4 inches) long.
The top sepal stands straight up and is about 25-35 mm (1.0-1.4 inches) long. The two side sepals are also 25-35 mm (1.0-1.4 inches) long. They spread out and curve downwards. The petals, which are similar to the sepals, are also 25-35 mm (1.0-1.4 inches) long and arranged like the side sepals.
The central part of the flower is called the labellum. It is 13-15 mm (0.5-0.6 inches) long and 8-9 mm (0.3-0.4 inches) wide. The labellum is whitish with a dark red tip that curves downwards. The sides of the labellum have small red teeth. There are also four or six rows of dark red bumps, called calli, along the middle of the labellum. These bumps are up to 1 mm (0.04 inches) long. This orchid usually flowers from October to November.
Its Name and Discovery
The delicate spider orchid was first officially described in 1999. It was named by a botanist named David Jones. He found a sample of the plant in a state forest near a place called Nowendoc. The scientific name subtilis comes from a Latin word. It means "fine," "delicate," or "nice," which perfectly describes this beautiful orchid.
Where It Lives
This special orchid is only found in a few areas in New South Wales, Australia. It grows near the towns of Nowendoc and Nundle. It prefers to grow in open forests, where it can get enough light.
