Mallee beard orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mallee beard orchid |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Calochilus
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| Species: |
pruinosus
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The mallee beard orchid (scientific name: Calochilus pruinosus) is a special type of orchid. It grows only in southern Australia. This orchid can have up to fifteen flowers. These flowers are usually dull green, pink, or brownish. They often have thin red lines. A unique part of the flower is its labellum, which looks like it has a purplish "beard." Interestingly, this orchid does not have any leaves.
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What the Mallee Beard Orchid Looks Like
The mallee beard orchid is a herb that grows from an underground tuber. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. This orchid does not have any leaves.
Its flowering stem can grow from 150 to 500 millimeters (about 6 to 20 inches) tall. Up to fifteen flowers grow on this stem. The flowers are dull green, pink, or brownish, often with red lines.
Each flower has different parts:
- The top sepal (called the dorsal sepal) is shaped like an egg. It is about 4 to 7 millimeters long and 4 to 5.5 millimeters wide.
- The side sepals are longer, about 8 to 10 millimeters long and 3.5 to 4.5 millimeters wide.
- The petals are shaped like wide eggs and are similar in size to the top sepal.
The labellum is a special lip-like part of the flower. It is curved and measures about 10 to 14 millimeters long and 5.5 to 6.5 millimeters wide. Near its base, it has up to six dark purple plates that look shiny. The middle part of the labellum has stiff hairs up to 4 millimeters long. The very tip has a small "tail" about 2.5 millimeters long.
The central part of the flower, called the column, has two purple spots that look like "eyes." These eyes are connected by a faint line. The flowers look like they are cupped, and they only last for two or three days. Scientists believe these orchids pollinate themselves. You can see them flowering from August to October.
How the Mallee Beard Orchid Got Its Name
The mallee beard orchid, Calochilus pruinosus, was officially described in 2006. This was done by a botanist named David Jones. He published his description in a book called Australian Orchid Research. The first plant used for this description was found near Hopetoun.
The second part of its scientific name, pruinosus, comes from a Latin word. It means "frosty" or "rimy," which might describe the look of the flower.
Where the Mallee Beard Orchid Lives
The mallee beard orchid grows in woodland areas. You can find it along the coast between Hopetoun and Eyre in Western Australia. These areas are part of the Esperance Plains and Hampton biogeographic regions.
Protecting the Mallee Beard Orchid
As of 2011, the mallee beard orchid is only known to grow in three places near Hopetoun. There are also older records of it growing south of the Stirling Range and near Eyre.
This orchid is considered "critically endangered" under Western Australia's Wildlife Conservation Act 1950. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever. The biggest dangers to this orchid are:
- Habitat degradation: Its natural home is being damaged.
- Habitat loss: The places where it lives are being destroyed.
- Inappropriate fire regimes: Fires that happen too often or not often enough can harm the plants.
