Pale beard orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pale beard orchid |
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| Calochilus herbaceus near Marrawah in Tasmania | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Calochilus
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| Species: |
herbaceus
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The pale beard orchid (scientific name: Calochilus herbaceus) is a special type of orchid. You can find it growing naturally in south-eastern Australia and northern New Zealand. This orchid has a single, short, thick leaf. It also grows up to eight flowers. These flowers are usually pale green or brownish. They have reddish stripes and a unique purple "beard" on them.
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About the Pale Beard Orchid
The pale beard orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, so it loses its leaves at certain times. This plant has an underground tuber, which is like a storage organ.
Leaves and Flowers
The orchid has one thick, grooved leaf. This leaf is about 30–60 mm (1–2 in) long and 6–12 mm (0.2–0.5 in) wide. It has a triangular shape when you look at its cross-section.
The plant can grow up to eight flowers. These flowers are pale green to brownish with reddish stripes. Each flower is about 14–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long and 10–14 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide. They grow on a tall stem that can be 150–400 mm (6–20 in) high.
Flower Parts
Each flower has different parts:
- The dorsal sepal (top part) stands upright. It is egg-shaped, about 9–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long and 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) wide.
- The lateral sepals (side parts) are also egg-shaped. They are about 9–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long and 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) wide.
- The petals are shaped like a spear or an egg. They are 8–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) wide. They spread out below the labellum.
The labellum is a special lip-like part of the flower. It is triangular and curves when you look at it from the side. It is about 10–14 mm (0.4–0.6 in) long and 6–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. The bottom of the labellum has two to six smooth, shiny blue plates. The middle part has some bristly purple hairs, which look like a "beard." The very tip has a short, sticky "tail" about 3 mm (0.12 in) long.
The column is another part of the flower. It has two fake "eyes" that are connected by a faint line. The flowers bloom from October to January. However, each flower only lasts for one or two days!
How it Got its Name
The scientific name Calochilus herbaceus was first officially described in 1840. A scientist named John Lindley described it from a plant found near Rocky Cape. He published this description in his book, The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants. The second part of its name, herbaceus, is a Latin word. It means "of plants," which makes sense for an orchid!
Where the Orchid Lives
The pale beard orchid grows in wet areas near the coast. You can find it in places with scrub, sedges (grass-like plants), and heathlands. It grows in southern Victoria and Tasmania (including Flinders Island and King Island). It also lives on the North Island of New Zealand, north of Auckland.
