Corybas abditus facts for kids
The swamp helmet orchid (scientific name: Corybas abditus) is a special type of orchid that grows only in Western Australia. It's quite rare and has a unique look. Imagine a small plant with a bluish-green, heart-shaped leaf and a tiny, reddish-purple flower that looks a bit like a helmet!
Quick facts for kids Swamp helmet orchid |
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What it Looks Like
The swamp helmet orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It lives for many years and loses its leaves in certain seasons. It has one leaf that is shaped like a heart or an egg. This leaf is about 6 to 20 millimeters (0.2 to 0.8 inches) long and 7 to 20 millimeters (0.3 to 0.8 inches) wide. The top of the leaf is bluish-green with three whitish lines, and the underside is purplish.
Each plant grows a single reddish-purple flower on a short stem, about 6 millimeters (0.2 inches) tall. The biggest part of the flower is the dorsal sepal, which is like a top petal. It is 9 to 11 millimeters (0.35 to 0.43 inches) long and 5 to 6 millimeters (0.2 to 0.24 inches) wide.
The other parts of the flower include:
- The lateral sepals are white and thin, about 8 millimeters (0.3 inches) long. They stick out sideways below the main lip of the flower.
- The petals are also white and thin, about 6 millimeters (0.24 inches) long. They curve around the flower's lip.
- The labellum is the main lip of the orchid flower. It is shaped like a tube, reddish in color, and about 10 to 11 millimeters (0.39 to 0.43 inches) long. It has three parts, with the middle part sticking out under the dorsal sepal.
These orchids usually bloom from September to November.
How it Got its Name
The swamp helmet orchid was officially named Corybas abditus in 1991 by a botanist named David Jones. He found a sample of this orchid near a place called Bakers Junction, north of Albany.
The second part of its scientific name, abditus, comes from a Latin word. It means "hidden" or "concealed." This name was chosen because the orchid is often hard to spot, as it grows in very dense areas.
Where it Lives
The swamp helmet orchid likes to grow in thick plants found in wet, swampy areas during winter. It can be found in different spots, not all connected, between Nannup and Esperance in Western Australia.
Protecting the Orchid
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has listed Corybas abditus as "Priority Three". This means that not much is known about this orchid, and it only grows in a few places. However, it is not currently in immediate danger of disappearing.
