Coastal striped sun orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coastal striped sun orchid |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Thelymitra
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| Species: |
incurva
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The Thelymitra incurva, also known as the coastal striped sun orchid, is a special type of orchid. It grows only in south-eastern Australia. This orchid has a single, tall, dark green leaf that looks like grass. Its flowers are usually pale blue. Unlike some other sun orchids, these flowers don't have darker stripes. You can find this orchid growing near the coast in far south-eastern New South Wales and north-eastern Victoria.
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What Does the Coastal Striped Sun Orchid Look Like?
The coastal striped sun orchid is a plant that grows from a tuber (a swollen underground stem, like a potato). It lives for many years. It has one upright, dark green leaf that is about 10 to 30 centimeters (4 to 12 inches) long. This leaf is often folded in half lengthwise.
The plant can have up to seven pale blue flowers. Each flower is about 2 to 3 centimeters (1 inch) wide. These flowers grow on a stem that can be 20 to 60 centimeters (8 to 24 inches) tall. The parts of the flower that look like petals (called sepals and petals) are about 1 to 1.4 centimeters long.
The center part of the flower, called the column, is pale blue. It has a brownish ring. The top part of the column has a short, yellow, bumpy section. The side parts of the column are blue and curve forward, ending with yellow, bumpy tips.
These orchids rely on insects to help them pollinate. Their flowers usually open on warm, sunny days. You can see them flowering from October to December.
How Was This Orchid Named?
The coastal striped sun orchid was first officially described in 2012. A scientist named Jeff Jeanes found a sample of the plant in north-eastern Victoria. He then wrote about it in a science journal called Muelleria.
The scientific name incurva comes from a Latin word. It means "curved" or "crooked." This name refers to the curved side parts of the flower's column.
Where Does the Coastal Striped Sun Orchid Live?
This special orchid likes to grow in certain types of places. You can often find it in areas with heath (a type of shrubland) and forests. It especially likes to grow around the edges of areas where grasstrees grow. Sometimes, it can even be found in places where the ground has been disturbed.
Is the Coastal Striped Sun Orchid in Danger?
Yes, the Thelymitra incurva is considered "vulnerable" in Victoria. This means that its population is decreasing, and it could become endangered if we don't protect it.
