Blotched gemini orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blotched gemini orchid |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Illustration of Dendrobium baileyi by Lewis Roberts | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Dendrobium
|
| Species: |
baileyi
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The blotched gemini orchid (scientific name: Dendrobium baileyi) is a special type of orchid. It often grows on other plants or rocks. This orchid has stems that curve, and its flowers grow from where the leaves meet the stem.
Its unique flowers are yellow with dark purple spots. They look a bit like spiders! You can find this orchid in warm, wet places. It grows in tropical North Queensland, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.
Contents
What Does the Blotched Gemini Orchid Look Like?
The blotched gemini orchid is a herb that grows on trees or rocks. It has arching stems. These stems hold leaves that are about 60–90 mm (2–4 in) long. The leaves are dark green and shaped like narrow spears or eggs.
The flowering stems are small, about 13–16 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long. They grow from the main stem, opposite to where the leaves are. Each flowering stem usually has one or two flowers. These flowers are about 20–30 mm (0.8–1 in) wide.
Flower Details
The flowers are quite unique. They are yellowish-green with many dark purple spots and blotches. This gives them their "blotched" name. The main parts of the flower, called sepals, are about 25–30 mm (0.98–1.2 in) long. The petals are a bit shorter, around 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) long.
The orchid also has a special lip-like petal called a labellum. This part is curved and has three sections, or lobes. The side lobes are reddish and triangular. The middle lobe has a fuzzy white line near its base. This orchid usually blooms in January and February.
How Was This Orchid Named?
The blotched gemini orchid, Dendrobium baileyi, got its official name in 1874. A scientist named Ferdinand von Mueller first described it. He found a sample of the orchid on a forested hillside near Rockingham Bay in Australia.
The name baileyi was chosen to honor another botanist. This was Frederick Bailey. The description was then published in a scientific book called Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae.
Where Does the Blotched Gemini Orchid Live?
This orchid likes to grow on trees in rainforests. You can find it in Queensland, Australia. Its range stretches from the McIlwraith Range down to Townsville. It also grows in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. It prefers warm and humid environments.
