Common spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Common spider orchid |
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| Caladenia vulgata growing in Wongan Hills | |
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| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
vulgata
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The Common Spider Orchid (Caladenia vulgata) is a special type of orchid that grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. It's quite common and easy to find. This orchid has a single, upright, hairy leaf and usually grows up to three creamy-white flowers. You might notice some differences in how it looks, like the color of its flowers or how it grows in groups.
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What Does the Common Spider Orchid Look Like?
The Common Spider Orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It's a perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years and its leaves die back each year. It has a special underground tuber (like a small potato) that stores food.
Each plant has one upright, hairy leaf. This leaf is usually about 5 to 15 centimeters (2-6 inches) long and about 4 millimeters wide.
The orchid can have up to three beautiful flowers. These flowers are white or creamy-white, and sometimes they have reddish marks. They are quite large, about 10 to 15 centimeters (4-6 inches) long and 7 to 10 centimeters (3-4 inches) wide. They grow on a stalk that is 15 to 30 centimeters (6-12 inches) tall.
Parts of the Spider Orchid Flower
The flower has several interesting parts:
- The dorsal sepal is the top part of the flower. It stands upright and is about 4.5 to 9 centimeters long.
- The lateral sepals are the two side parts. They are also 4.5 to 9 centimeters long. They start out straight and then curve downwards.
- The petals are similar to the lateral sepals in size and shape. They also curve downwards.
- The labellum is the special lip of the orchid. It's about 9 to 15 millimeters long and 7 to 11 millimeters wide. It's usually cream-colored with red lines. The sides of the labellum have small, blunt teeth. Its tip curls under.
- Inside the labellum, there are two rows of anvil-shaped structures called calli. These are mostly cream-colored.
The Common Spider Orchid flowers from July to mid-October. The flowers can be shiny white, dull white, or pale creamy white. In some places, these plants grow in large groups, while in others, they grow by themselves.
How Was the Common Spider Orchid Named?
The Common Spider Orchid was officially described in 2001 by two scientists, Stephen Hopper and Andrew Phillip Brown. They found a sample of the plant in the Kalbarri National Park. Their description was published in a science journal called Nuytsia.
The scientific name vulgata comes from the Latin word vulgaris. This word means "common," which refers to how many of these orchids there are.
Where Does the Common Spider Orchid Live?
You can find the Common Spider Orchid all over the south-west of Western Australia. It grows as far north as Kalbarri and as far east as Esperance. It likes to grow in areas with shrubs, woodlands, and forests.
Is the Common Spider Orchid Protected?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife says that Caladenia vulgata is "not threatened." This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
