Carbunup king spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carbunup king spider orchid |
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| Caladenia procera growing near Dunsborough | |
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Caladenia
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| Species: |
procera
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The Caladenia procera, also known as the Carbunup king spider orchid, is a special type of orchid. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This means it is endemic to that area.
This orchid has one tall, hairy leaf. It also grows up to four flowers that are greenish-yellow and red. The Carbunup king spider orchid is known for being one of the tallest spider orchids. Its flowers are also among the largest of this type of orchid.
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What the Carbunup King Spider Orchid Looks Like
The Carbunup king spider orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It has a special underground part called a tuber, which helps it store food. This orchid can grow alone or in small groups.
It has one pale green leaf that is covered in fine hairs. This leaf can be about 20 to 45 centimeters (8 to 18 inches) long. The flowers are very striking, with colors of greenish-yellow and red. Each flower can be about 10 to 14 centimeters (4 to 5.5 inches) long and 8 to 10 centimeters (3 to 4 inches) wide. These flowers grow on a tall stem that can reach up to 90 centimeters (35 inches) high.
Flower Parts
The flowers have special parts called sepals and petals. The sepals have thick, club-like tips that are yellowish-brown. The top sepal stands straight up. The two side sepals usually point downwards.
The petals are swept upwards. A key part of the flower is the labellum, which is like a lip. This labellum is greenish-yellow with a red tip that curls under. Along the sides of the labellum, there are yellowish, tooth-like parts. In the middle, there are four rows of red bumps, called calli.
You can see these beautiful orchids flowering from September to October.
Where It Lives
The Carbunup king spider orchid is found in only a few places. These spots are south-west of Busselton in Western Australia. It likes to grow in woodlands. These woodlands have trees like jarrah, marri, and peppermint trees.
Why It's Special: Naming the Orchid
This orchid was first officially described in 2001. Two scientists, Stephen Hopper and Andrew Phillip Brown, gave it its name. They found a sample of the orchid near Carbunup River.
The second part of its scientific name, procera, comes from a Latin word. It means "tall," "slender," or "long." This name fits the orchid perfectly because of its tall flowering stem.
Protecting This Rare Orchid
The Carbunup king spider orchid is a very rare plant. The Western Australian Government lists it as "Threatened Flora." This means it is a "Declared Rare Flora — Extant."
The Australian government also lists it as "Critically Endangered." This is under a law called the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Being "Critically Endangered" means it faces a very high risk of disappearing from the wild.
Threats to the Orchid
There are several things that threaten this special orchid:
- Land clearing: When land is cleared for buildings or farms, the orchid's home is destroyed.
- Road and firebreak maintenance: Work done on roads and firebreaks can accidentally harm the plants.
- Inappropriate fire regimes: Fires that happen too often or not often enough can also hurt the orchid's ability to grow and reproduce.
Efforts are being made to protect this unique and beautiful orchid so it can continue to thrive.
