Forest fingers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Forest fingers |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
sylvicola
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| Synonyms | |
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Petalochilus sylvicola (D.L.Jones) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. |
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The forest fingers orchid, also known as Caladenia sylvicola, is a special type of orchid. It grows only in Tasmania, Australia. This orchid has one tall, slightly hairy leaf. It also has a single white flower with a greenish back.
Contents
About the Forest Fingers Orchid
The forest fingers orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber. It can grow alone or in small groups. This plant is a perennial, meaning it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, so it loses its leaves at certain times.
What the Plant Looks Like
The orchid has one upright, dark green leaf. This leaf is a bit hairy. It is usually about 10 to 15 centimeters (4 to 6 inches) long. The leaf is also quite narrow, about 1.5 to 2 millimeters wide.
The Flower's Details
Each plant grows a single flower on a stem. This stem can be 10 to 16 centimeters (4 to 6 inches) tall. The flower itself is white with green on the back. It measures about 14 to 18 millimeters long and 17 to 22 millimeters wide.
The flower has different parts called sepals and petals. The top sepal stands up or curves forward. The side sepals and petals spread out like a fan. The special lower petal, called the labellum, is white. It has an orange or yellow tip. The labellum also has small teeth on its sides. There are two rows of tiny bumps, called calli, along the middle. These can have orange tips. Forest fingers orchids bloom from October to November.
How it Got its Name
The forest fingers orchid was first officially described in 1998. This was done by a botanist named David Jones. He found a specimen of the orchid near Hobart, Tasmania.
Meaning of the Name
The scientific name sylvicola comes from Latin words. "Sylvi" means "forest," and "cola" means "dweller." So, sylvicola means "forest dweller." This name fits because the orchid prefers to live in forests.
Where it Lives
The forest fingers orchid is very rare. It is only found in two places near Hobart, Tasmania. It grows in open forests. You can find it in leaf litter or close to thick bushes.
Population Numbers
In 1997, experts thought there were only about 20 adult plants left. After a fire, no plants were seen for several years. Then, in 2009, a single plant was spotted again. This shows how rare and special this orchid is.
Protecting the Forest Fingers Orchid
The forest fingers orchid is in serious trouble. It is listed as "critically endangered" by the Australian government. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever. The Tasmanian government also lists it as "endangered."
Main Threats to the Orchid
Several things threaten this rare orchid:
- Land clearing: When land is cleared for buildings or farms, the orchid's home is destroyed.
- Habitat fragmentation: This means its forest home is broken into smaller pieces. This makes it harder for the orchids to survive.
- Fire: Fires that are too frequent or too intense can harm the plants.
- Accidental trampling: People accidentally stepping on the plants can also damage them.
Protecting these small, unique orchids is very important.
