Brockman's duck orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brockman's duck orchid |
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The Brockman's duck orchid (scientific name: Caleana brockmanii) is a special type of orchid. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This orchid has one smooth leaf and a single flower. The flower is usually greenish-yellow and red. A unique part of this orchid is its flat labellum. The labellum is a special lip-like petal that helps attract insects. It also has tiny bumps called calli only near the tip of this lip. This orchid flowers later in the year compared to some others. You can find it in areas south of Perth.
What Does It Look Like?
The Brockman's duck orchid has one smooth leaf. This leaf can be dull green or dull red. It is about 15 to 30 millimeters (0.6 to 1.2 inches) long. The leaf is also about 3 to 6 millimeters (0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide. By the time the flower blooms, the leaf has usually dried up.
Usually, there is only one flower on each plant. The flower is greenish-yellow and red. It is about 25 to 30 millimeters (1.0 to 1.2 inches) long. The flower is also about 10 to 12 millimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) wide. It grows on a thin, wire-like stem. This stem is about 60 to 120 millimeters (2.4 to 4.7 inches) tall.
The top sepal, side sepals, and petals are narrow. They hang downwards. The top sepal presses against the column. The column is a central part of the orchid flower. This forms a shape like a small bucket. About one-third of the outer part of the labellum is covered in shiny black bumps. These bumps are called glands or calli. The labellum itself has a flat top. This orchid blooms from late October to January.
How It Got Its Name
The Brockman's duck orchid was first officially described in 2006. Two scientists, Stephen Hopper and Andrew Brown, gave it the name Paracaleana brockmanii. They published their description in a science journal.
Later, in 2014, other scientists studied the orchid's genes. Based on these studies, Joseph Miller and Mark Clements moved all species from Paracaleana into the Caleana group. This is why the orchid's name changed to Caleana brockmanii. The second part of its name, brockmanii, honors Garry Brockman. He was an amateur orchid expert. He found the very first plant used to describe this species.
Where It Lives
The Caleana brockmanii orchid grows in forests. You can find it in the area between Perth and Albany. This region is known for its Jarrah Forest and Warren areas.
Is It Protected?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at the Brockman's duck orchid. They have classified it as "not threatened." This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
