Clustered bird orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clustered bird orchid |
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The clustered bird orchid, also known by its scientific name Chiloglottis pluricallata, is a special type of orchid. It grows only in certain parts of New South Wales, Australia. You can find it in the New England Tableland and Barrington Tops. This orchid has two wide leaves. It also has a single flower that is reddish to purplish-brown. This flower has a special part called a labellum with many small, reddish-black bumps called glands.
What Does the Clustered Bird Orchid Look Like?
The clustered 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 at certain times. This plant has two oval-shaped leaves. Each leaf is about 50 to 80 millimeters (2 to 3 inches) long. They are also about 18 to 30 millimeters (0.7 to 1.2 inches) wide. These leaves grow on a stem called a petiole, which is about 10 to 18 millimeters (0.4 to 0.7 inches) long.
A single flower grows on a stem that is about 50 to 75 millimeters (2 to 3 inches) tall. The flower itself is reddish to purplish-brown. It measures about 18 to 22 millimeters (0.7 to 0.9 inches) long. It is also about 25 to 30 millimeters (1.0 to 1.2 inches) wide.
The top part of the flower is called the dorsal sepal. It is shaped like an egg and is about 19 to 21 millimeters (0.7 to 0.8 inches) long. The side parts, called lateral sepals, are about 15 to 18 millimeters (0.6 to 0.7 inches) long. The petals are shaped like spears. They are about 15 to 18 millimeters (0.6 to 0.7 inches) long and spread out.
The most interesting part is the labellum. It is broadly heart-shaped, about 11 to 12.5 millimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) long. This labellum has about twelve upright, thin, reddish to blackish bumps called glands. These glands cover about two-thirds of the labellum near its base. The central part of the flower, called the column, is greenish-brown. It has darker marks and is about 13 to 15 millimeters (0.5 to 0.6 inches) long. These orchids usually bloom from November to January.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The scientific name for the clustered bird orchid is Chiloglottis pluricallata. It was first officially described in 1991. A botanist named David Jones gave it this name. He found a sample of the orchid at a place called Point Lookout.
The name pluricallata comes from two Latin words. "Plurimus" means "most" or "many." "Callus" means "hard skin." This name refers to the many small glands found on the labellum of this orchid.
Where Does This Orchid Live?
The clustered bird orchid grows in forests where there is a lot of grass. It prefers mountainous areas. You can find it in the Barrington Tops region and the New England Tableland in New South Wales.
