Mountain bird orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mountain bird orchid |
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| Chiloglottis jeanesii near Upper Ferntree Gully | |
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The mountain bird orchid (scientific name: Chiloglottis jeanesii) is a special type of orchid that only grows in Victoria, Australia. It has two wide leaves and one flower. This flower can be green or a dark purplish-brown. It has shiny black, column-shaped bumps called calli on its labellum, which is a special part of the orchid flower.
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What Does the Mountain Bird Orchid Look Like?
The mountain bird orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, so its leaves fall off each year.
Leaves and Stem
This orchid has two oval-shaped leaves. They are about 27–40 mm (1–2 in) long and 10–18 mm (0.4–0.7 in) wide. These leaves grow on a stalk called a petiole, which is about 8–18 mm (0.3–0.7 in) long. A single flower grows on a stem that stands about 45–70 mm (2–3 in) tall.
The Flower
The flower itself is usually green to dark purplish-brown. It is about 17–20 mm (0.7–0.8 in) long and 25–30 mm (0.98–1.2 in) wide.
- Sepals: The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, looks like an egg. It is about 17–20 mm (0.7–0.8 in) long and 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide. The two side sepals are narrow and straight. They are about 14–17 mm (0.6–0.7 in) long and 2 mm (0.08 in) wide. They sit flat under the labellum. All three sepals have a tiny tip, about 1 mm (0.04 in) long.
- Petals: The petals are narrow and curved. They are about 13–16 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long and 2.5 mm (0.1 in) wide. They spread out wide and curve upwards.
- Labellum: The labellum is a special lip-like petal. It is egg-shaped or heart-shaped, about 10–13 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long and 9–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) wide. About half of its top surface is covered with shiny black, column-shaped bumps called glands or calli. These can be up to 2.5 mm (0.1 in) long.
- Column: The column is the central part of the flower. It is green to brown with red spots. It is about 12–15 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long and 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) wide, with wide parts that look like wings.
The mountain bird orchid usually flowers between November and January.
How the Mountain Bird Orchid Got Its Name
The scientific name Chiloglottis jeanesii was first officially given to this orchid in 1997. It was described by a botanist named David Jones. He found a sample of the orchid near a place called Toorongo. The description was published in a science journal called Muelleria.
The second part of its name, jeanesii, is a special honour. It was named after another botanist and orchid expert, Jeffrey Jeanes.
Where Does the Mountain Bird Orchid Live?
The mountain bird orchid grows in forests that are moist to very wet. You can find it in mountainous areas in Victoria, Australia. Some of the places where it lives include the Sherbrooke Forest, Baw Baw National Park, and Dandenong Ranges National Park.
