Small spur orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Small spur orchid |
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| Illustration of Crepidium lawleri by Lewis Roberts | |
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Crepidium
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lawleri
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The small spur orchid (Crepidium lawleri) is a special plant. It belongs to the orchid family. This orchid only grows in one place: the warm, wet tropical area of far north Queensland, Australia.
This plant is an evergreen orchid, which means its leaves stay green all year. It is also a terrestrial orchid, so it grows in the ground, not on trees. It has a stem that stands up straight. Its leaves are dark green. The plant can have up to ten flowers. These flowers are a greenish-cream color. They are spread out along a stem that can break easily.
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What the Small Spur Orchid Looks Like
The small spur orchid is a plant that grows on land. It is an evergreen herb, meaning it has soft stems and green leaves all year. Its stems stand up straight and are a bit thick. They can be about 20 to 80 millimeters (0.8 to 3.1 inches) tall. They are also about 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) wide.
This orchid usually has four or five dark green leaves. Each leaf has three clear lines, or veins. The leaves are about 25 to 40 millimeters (1.0 to 1.6 inches) long. They are also about 15 to 20 millimeters (0.6 to 0.8 inches) wide.
The plant produces between five and ten flowers. These flowers are a greenish-cream color. They are spread out along a stem that can be 50 to 100 millimeters (2.0 to 3.9 inches) long. This flower stem is quite fragile. Each flower is about 5.5 to 6.5 millimeters (0.22 to 0.26 inches) long. They are also about 5 to 6 millimeters (0.20 to 0.24 inches) wide.
The flowers have parts called sepals. These are like small leaves that protect the flower bud. The sepals are about 3 millimeters (0.1 inches) long and 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) wide. The top sepal points downwards. The side sepals spread out from each other. The petals are similar in length to the sepals but are thinner.
The orchid's special lip, called the labellum, looks like a horseshoe. It is about 4 millimeters (0.16 inches) long and wide. This labellum has six to eight small teeth. These teeth are about 5 to 7 millimeters (0.20 to 0.28 inches) long. The small spur orchid usually blooms between December and February.
How the Small Spur Orchid Got Its Name
The small spur orchid was first officially described in 1984. Two botanists, Bill Lavarack and Bruce Gray, studied it. They gave it the name Malaxis lawleri. They found a sample of the plant near a place called Rossville. Their description was published in a magazine called The Orchadian.
Later, in 1995, another scientist named Dariusz Szlachetko changed its name. He renamed it Crepidium fimbriatum. The second part of its original name, lawleri, was chosen to honor Len Lawler. He was the person who first found this type of orchid.
Where the Small Spur Orchid Lives
The small spur orchid likes to grow in shady spots. It is often found near swamps. You can find it in the area between Ayton and Cooktown in Queensland.
Protecting the Small Spur Orchid
The small spur orchid is considered "endangered." This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever. The Australian Government protects it under a law called the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
There are a few main dangers to this special orchid:
- Wild Pigs: Feral pigs can damage the plants.
- Growing Rainforest: The rainforest around it can grow too much. This can take away the space and light the orchid needs.
- Illegal Collecting: Some people try to take these orchids from the wild. This is against the law and harms the plant's survival.
Protecting these orchids helps make sure they can continue to grow in nature.
