Metallic beard orchid facts for kids

The metallic beard orchid (scientific name: Calochilus metallicus) is a special type of orchid that only grows in Tropical Queensland, Australia. It's known for its unique flowers that have a pinkish or reddish "beard" on a part of the flower called the labellum.

What is the Metallic Beard Orchid?

The metallic beard orchid is a perennial herb. This means it's a plant that lives for more than two years and doesn't have a woody stem. It grows from an underground tuber, which is like a small potato that stores food. It has one dark green leaf that grows to about 80–180 mm (3–7 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide when it's fully grown.

Flower Description

This orchid can have up to four pale green flowers with darker patterns. Each flower is about 13–16 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long and 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide. They grow on a stem that can be 200–300 mm (8–10 in) tall.

Let's look at the parts of the flower:

• The dorsal sepal is the top part of the flower. It's about 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long and 5 mm (0.2 in) wide.
• The lateral sepals are the two side parts, similar in length but a bit narrower.
• The petals are smaller, about 6 mm (0.2 in) long and 2 mm (0.08 in) wide.
• The labellum is a special lip-like part of the orchid flower. It's flat, about 12–14 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long, and 5 mm (0.2 in) wide. It is green with red markings.

The labellum is mostly covered with thin, metallic-looking hairs that are 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long. This is where the "beard" part of its name comes from! The very tip of the labellum doesn't have any hairs. These orchids usually flower from December to February, but each flower only lasts for a few hours.

How the Metallic Beard Orchid Got Its Name

The metallic beard orchid was officially described in 2004 by a botanist named David Jones. He published its description in a magazine called The Orchadian. The specific name, metallicus, comes from the Ancient Greek word metallon. This word refers to metal, which fits well with the metallic look of the hairs on the orchid's labellum.

Where Does the Metallic Beard Orchid Live?

The metallic beard orchid grows in low-lying areas with grasses. You can find it on Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Australia. It also grows on islands in the Torres Strait, like Moa Island.