Mount Windsor rock orchid facts for kids

The Mount Windsor rock orchid (Dendrobium biconvexum) is a special type of orchid that grows on rocks. It is found only in Far North Queensland, Australia. This orchid has unique spindle-shaped stems called pseudobulbs. It also has thick, leathery leaves. Its flowers are white or cream-coloured. They often have pretty purple markings on their lip, which is called a labellum.

What Does the Mount Windsor Rock Orchid Look Like?

The Mount Windsor rock orchid is a herb that grows on rocks. It has roots that spread out. Its green pseudobulbs are like thick stems. They are about 20 to 40 centimeters (8 to 16 inches) long. They are also about 3.5 to 5 centimeters (1.4 to 2 inches) wide. These pseudobulbs get narrower at both ends.

Each pseudobulb has two to four thick, dark green leaves. These leaves grow from the top of the pseudobulb. They are about 20 to 30 centimeters (8 to 12 inches) long. They are also about 6 to 9 centimeters (2.4 to 3.5 inches) wide.

This orchid produces many flowers. It can have between 40 and 75 flowers on one stem. The flowers are white to cream-coloured. They are about 4.5 to 5.5 centimeters (1.8 to 2.2 inches) long. They are also about 3.5 to 4 centimeters (1.4 to 1.6 inches) wide. The flowering stem can be quite long, from 25 to 75 centimeters (10 to 30 inches).

The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, is oblong. It is about 2.5 to 3 centimeters (1 to 1.2 inches) long. The side sepals are curved and spread wide apart. They are about 2.3 to 3.5 centimeters (0.9 to 1.4 inches) long. The petals are thin and linear. They are about 2 to 2.5 centimeters (0.8 to 1 inch) long.

The labellum, or lip, of the flower is cream-coloured. It has purple markings. It is about 1.3 to 1.5 centimeters (0.5 to 0.6 inches) long. It has three parts, called lobes. The side lobes stand up and are curved. The middle lobe has a short point at its end. This orchid usually flowers between July and September.

How It Got Its Name

The Mount Windsor rock orchid was first officially described in 2006. Two botanists, David Jones and Mark Clements, described it. They studied a plant that grew in the Australian National Botanic Gardens. This plant came from a specimen found on the Mount Windsor Tableland. This area is west of the Daintree National Park.

They first named it Thelychiton biconvexus. This description was published in a research paper called Australian Orchid Research. Later, in 2014, another botanist named Julian Shaw changed its name. He renamed it Dendrobium biconvexum.

The second part of its name, biconvexum, comes from Latin words. Bis means "twice". Convexus means "arched outward" or "sticking out". This name refers to the shape of the orchid's pseudobulbs, which are curved outwards on both sides.

Where Does It Live?

The Mount Windsor rock orchid grows on rocks, cliffs, and large boulders. It is found in or very close to rainforests. You can find it in tropical North Queensland, Australia. It has been seen in a few mountainous areas. These areas include places in and around the Ngalba Bulal National Park.