Forest wasp orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Forest wasp orchid |
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The Forest wasp orchid (Chiloglottis sphyrnoides) is a special type of orchid. It is found only in certain parts of north-eastern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland in Australia.
This orchid has two dark green leaves. It grows a single flower that can be green or reddish pink. A unique part of the flower, called the labellum, has a shiny black, insect-like bump. This bump is surrounded by smaller red, club-shaped bumps.
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About the Forest Wasp Orchid
The Forest wasp orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. Each year, its leaves fall off, but it grows new ones.
It has two leaves that are shaped like an egg. These leaves are about 3.5 to 8.5 centimeters (1.4 to 3.3 inches) long. They are about 1.5 to 2.3 centimeters (0.6 to 0.9 inches) wide. Each leaf sits on a small stem about 0.5 to 1.5 centimeters (0.2 to 0.6 inches) long.
The Flower's Appearance
A single flower grows on a stem that is about 5 to 9 centimeters (2 to 3.5 inches) tall. The flower itself is about 1.8 to 2.2 centimeters (0.7 to 0.9 inches) long. It is about 0.7 to 0.9 centimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) wide.
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, is shaped like a spatula. It is about 1.6 to 1.8 centimeters (0.6 to 0.7 inches) long. The side sepals are thin and curve downwards. They are about 1.3 to 1.7 centimeters (0.5 to 0.7 inches) long.
The petals are narrow and turn downwards. They are about 1.1 to 1.3 centimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) long.
The Labellum and Callus
The most interesting part is the labellum. It is broadly spatula-shaped and about 1 to 1.2 centimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) long. It is about 0.7 to 0.85 centimeters (0.3 to 0.33 inches) wide.
Near the base of the labellum, there is a shiny black, insect-like bump. This bump is called a callus. It is about 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) long and wide. This large callus is surrounded by smaller reddish, club-shaped bumps.
The central part of the flower, called the column, is green. It has purplish black spots. This part is about 0.9 to 1 centimeter (0.35 to 0.39 inches) long.
When it Flowers
The Forest wasp orchid usually blooms from December to April.
Naming the Forest Wasp Orchid
The scientific name for this orchid is Chiloglottis sphyrnoides. It was first officially described in 1991. This was done by a botanist named David Jones. He found a specimen in the Lamington National Park.
What Sphyrnoides Means
The second part of its name, sphyrnoides, is very interesting. It refers to how the large callus on the labellum looks. This callus resembles the head of a shark from the genus Sphyrna. These are often called hammerhead sharks.
The ending -oides comes from an Ancient Greek word. This word means "form" or "likeness." So, sphyrnoides means "like a Sphyrna (shark)."
Where it Lives
The Forest wasp orchid grows in damp areas. It prefers tall forests. You can find it near Nowendoc in New South Wales. It also grows in the Lamington National Park in Queensland.
