Cardwell beard orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cardwell beard orchid |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Calochilus
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| Species: |
psednus
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The Calochilus psednus, also called the Cardwell beard orchid, is a special type of orchid. It grows only in Queensland, Australia. This orchid has up to three bluish-green flowers with reddish-brown lines. Its most unique part is the labellum, which is like a special lip petal, covered in a purplish "beard". When this plant flowers, it doesn't have any leaves. It is only found in a small area near Cardwell.
What it Looks Like
The Cardwell beard orchid is a plant that grows in the ground. It lives for many years and is not woody, like a tree. It has an underground tuber, which is like a small storage part. It also has a single dark green leaf, about 60 to 120 millimeters (2.4 to 4.7 inches) long and 3 to 5 millimeters (0.12 to 0.20 inches) wide. However, this leaf is not there when the plant is flowering.
The orchid grows a thin, wiry stem that is about 250 to 350 millimeters (9.8 to 13.8 inches) tall. On this stem, you can find up to three bluish-green flowers with reddish-brown lines. Each flower is about 11 to 13 millimeters (0.43 to 0.51 inches) long and 7 to 9 millimeters (0.28 to 0.35 inches) wide.
Each flower has different parts:
- The dorsal sepal (the top part) is about 6 millimeters (0.24 inches) long and 4 millimeters (0.16 inches) wide.
- The lateral sepals (the side parts) are about 7 millimeters (0.28 inches) long and 4 millimeters (0.16 inches) wide.
- The petals are about 5 millimeters (0.20 inches) long and 3 millimeters (0.12 inches) wide.
The labellum (the orchid's special lip) is flat and shiny reddish-brown. It is about 10 to 11 millimeters (0.39 to 0.43 inches) long and 7 millimeters (0.28 inches) wide. Most of the labellum has short, purple hairs that are spaced out, making it look like a "beard." The last part of the labellum, about a quarter of its length, is smooth and hairless. These flowers usually appear from December to February, but they only stay open for a few hours.
How it Got its Name
The Cardwell beard orchid, Calochilus psednus, was officially described in 1989. Two botanists, David Jones and Bill Lavarack, gave it its scientific name. They published their description in a scientific paper called Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland. They studied samples of the orchid that were found south of Cardwell.
The second part of its scientific name, psednus, comes from an Ancient Greek word. This word means "thin," "scanty," or "bald."
Where it Lives
The Cardwell beard orchid grows in a specific type of forest. This forest is a broad-leafed paperbark woodland. It also has many dense shrubs and sedges, which are grass-like plants. This orchid is only known to grow very close to where the first samples were found, near Cardwell.
Why it Needs Protection
The Cardwell beard orchid is considered "endangered." This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever. It is protected under two important laws: the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and the Australian Government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
The biggest reason this orchid is in danger is because it grows in such a small area. If something bad happens in that one spot, the whole species could be wiped out. Other possible threats to this orchid include:
- Changes in how often fires happen in its habitat.
- Invasive weeds that can take over its growing space.
- Road maintenance activities that might disturb its habitat.
