Island Point spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Island Point spider orchid |
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| Caladenia swartsiorum growing near Binningup | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
swartsiorum
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| Synonyms | |
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Caladenia sp. 'Island Point' |
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The Caladenia swartsiorum, also known as the Island Point spider orchid, is a special type of orchid. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This unique plant has a single tall, hairy leaf and can grow up to three pale greenish-yellow and white flowers. You can only find it in a small area near the Harvey Estuary.
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What Does the Island Point Spider Orchid Look Like?
The Island Point spider orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber. It can sometimes grow in small groups. It has one upright leaf, which is about 20 to 23 centimeters long and 6 to 13 millimeters wide. This leaf is pale green and has reddish-purple spots.
The orchid produces up to three flowers on a stalk that stands about 30 to 35 centimeters tall. These flowers are about 8 to 10 centimeters wide and are a mix of pale greenish-yellow and white. The parts of the flower, called sepals and petals, become very narrow at their tips, which are brownish-black and covered in tiny glands.
The top sepal stands up straight and then curves slightly forward. The side sepals and petals spread out horizontally near the base and then curve downwards. The most interesting part is the labellum, which is the orchid's special lip. It's about 16 to 21 millimeters long and wide, and it's white or pale yellow with red lines and spots. The sides of the labellum have red and white teeth-like structures. In the middle, there are four rows of red, anvil-shaped bumps called calli. This orchid blooms from late September to October.
How Did This Orchid Get Its Name?
The Island Point spider orchid was officially described in 2015 by two botanists, Andrew Phillip Brown and Garry Brockman. They found a sample of this orchid south of Mandurah. The name swartsiorum was chosen to honor Eric and Nigel Swarts. They were the ones who first showed this amazing orchid to Brown and Brockman.
Where Does the Island Point Spider Orchid Live?
This rare orchid is only found in a small area near Mandurah in the Swan Coastal Plain region of Western Australia. It likes to grow in woodlands, especially on the edges of areas that get wet during winter.
Protecting the Island Point Spider Orchid
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has listed Caladenia swartsiorum as "Priority One". This means it's a very important plant because it's only found in one or a few places. These locations are at risk, so it's super important to protect this special orchid and its habitat.
