Brownish beard orchid facts for kids

The brownish beard orchid (Calochilus sandrae) is a special type of orchid. It only grows in the higher areas of southern New South Wales, Australia. This orchid has a single greenish-brown leaf. Its flowers are brownish-green with red stripes. The most interesting part is its "beard," which is a brownish-purple fuzzy lip on the flower.

What Does the Brownish Beard Orchid Look Like?

The brownish beard orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It has an underground tuber, which is like a small storage organ. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, so its leaves fall off at certain times.

Leaves and Stems

This orchid has one greenish-brown leaf. The leaf is long and narrow, like a spear. It measures about 120–200 mm (5–8 in) long and 8–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) wide. The base of the leaf is reddish. The leaf is fully grown when the plant starts to flower.

The flowers grow on a tall stem. This stem can be 300–400 mm (10–20 in) high. Each plant can have up to five brownish-green flowers. These flowers have pretty red stripes. They are about 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) long and 12–15 mm (0.5–0.6 in) wide. Each flower usually lasts for two to five days.

Flower Parts

Orchid flowers have special parts:

• The dorsal sepal is the top part of the flower. It is shaped like an egg or a spear. It measures about 10–13 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long and 7–8 mm (0.28–0.31 in) wide.
• The lateral sepals are on the sides. They are similar in length but narrower. They spread out from each other.
• The petals are 7–8 mm (0.28–0.31 in) long and 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) wide. They are egg-shaped but not perfectly even. They have a small hooked tip.

The labellum is the most noticeable part. It is the "lip" of the orchid. It is flat and measures about 18–22 mm (0.7–0.9 in) long and 7–9 mm (0.28–0.35 in) wide. Near its base, it has short, thick purple bumps called calli. The middle of the labellum is covered with purple hairs. These hairs can be up to 5 mm (0.2 in) long, giving it a "beard" look. The tip of the labellum is sticky and about 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long.

The column is a central part of the flower. It has two yellowish spots that look like "eyes." These "eyes" are connected by a purplish line.

When Does it Flower?

The brownish beard orchid blooms during the summer months. You can see its flowers from December to January.

How Was the Brownish Beard Orchid Named?

The brownish beard orchid was officially named Calochilus sandrae in 2006. It was first described by a botanist named David Jones. He found a specimen of the orchid near a place called Nimmitabel.

The second part of its name, sandrae, is a special tribute. It honors Sandra Raelene Jones. She was the person who first discovered this unique orchid species.

Where Does the Brownish Beard Orchid Live?

The brownish beard orchid grows in specific places. It likes to live in shrubby montane forests. These are forests found in mountainous areas.

You can find this orchid in New South Wales, Australia. It grows between the town of Nimmitabel and the Wadbilliga National Park. It also lives in the Namadgi National Park, which is in the Australian Capital Territory.