Dark caladenia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dark caladenia |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Genus: | Caladenia |
| Species: |
C. atrata
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| Binomial name | |
| Caladenia atrata D.L.Jones
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| Synonyms | |
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Stegostyla atrata (D.L.Jones) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. |
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The Caladenia atrata, often called the dark caladenia, is a special type of orchid plant. It belongs to the orchid family and is found only in Tasmania. This ground orchid has unique flowers. The front of the flowers is bright white. But the back is covered with many tiny black glands, which are like small bumps.
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About the Dark Caladenia Orchid
The dark caladenia 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 it loses its leaves at certain times. This plant usually grows in loose groups. It has a special underground part called a tuber, which stores food. From this tuber grows a single, dark green leaf. This leaf is long and thin, about 6 to 13 centimeters (2.4 to 5.1 inches) long and 3 millimeters (0.12 inches) wide. It has only a few hairs.
What the Flowers Look Like
The dark caladenia can have up to four flowers on one stem. The stem is thin, hairy, and wiry, growing about 12 to 20 centimeters (4.7 to 7.9 inches) tall. Each flower is about 18 millimeters (0.71 inches) across. The petals and sepals are the parts that make up the flower's shape. On the front, they are bright white. But on the back, they are covered with many tiny black glands.
The top sepal, called the dorsal sepal, is about 10 to 12 millimeters (0.39 to 0.47 inches) long. It curves forward, forming a small hood over the central part of the flower, called the column. The other petals and side sepals are shaped like thin spears. They are about 10 to 14 millimeters (0.39 to 0.55 inches) long.
The labellum is a special lip-like part of the orchid flower. For the dark caladenia, it is about 4.5 to 6 millimeters (0.18 to 0.24 inches) long. It can be white or pinkish with purple spots and a purple tip. This labellum has three main parts, called lobes. The side lobes stand upright, wrapping around the column. The edges of the labellum have small, blunt teeth. There are also three or four rows of purplish bumps, called calli, along the middle of the labellum. The column itself is about 6 millimeters (0.24 inches) long. It is greenish with red spots. These beautiful flowers bloom from late October to December.
How the Dark Caladenia Got Its Name
The dark caladenia was first officially described by a botanist named David Jones. This happened in 1994. He published his description in a science journal called Muelleria. The first plant used to describe the species was found on a hill near Hobart, Tasmania.
The second part of its scientific name, atrata, comes from a Latin word. "Atrata" means "dressed in black." This name was chosen because of the black glands found on the outside of the flower.
Where the Dark Caladenia Lives
The dark caladenia orchid is only found in the southern parts of Tasmania. It likes to grow on hillsides where the soil is thin and rocky. It also grows in forests where the trees are not very tall.
