Coastal shaggy orchid facts for kids

The Dendrobium litorale, also called the coastal shaggy orchid, is a type of orchid. It is an epiphytic plant, which means it grows on other plants, like trees. However, it does not harm the plant it grows on. This orchid has short, thin stems that grow close together. Most of its leaves are found on the lower part of the stem. The leaves are flat and pointed. Its flowers are small and are a pale greenish-cream color. You can find this orchid on islands in the Torres Strait and in New Guinea.

What Does the Coastal Shaggy Orchid Look Like?

The coastal shaggy orchid is an epiphytic plant. This means it grows on other plants but does not take nutrients from them. It has many stems that grow close together. These stems are usually 30 to 60 centimeters (12 to 24 inches) long. They are also about 0.5 to 1 centimeter (0.2 to 0.4 inches) wide.

The leaves grow in two rows. They are flat, a bit thick, and pointed. Each leaf is about 3 to 6 centimeters (1.2 to 2.4 inches) long. They are also about 3 to 8 centimeters (1.2 to 3.1 inches) wide.

The flowers grow along parts of the stem that don't have leaves. They are a pale greenish-cream color. Each flower is about 1 to 1.5 centimeters (0.4 to 0.6 inches) long. They are also about 1 to 1.2 centimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) wide.

The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, is about 0.4 to 0.55 centimeters (0.16 to 0.22 inches) long. The side sepals are longer, about 0.8 to 1 centimeter (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long. The petals are about 0.4 to 0.5 centimeters (0.16 to 0.20 inches) long. The labellum, which is the orchid's special lip-like petal, is about 1 to 1.2 centimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) long. It has three parts, with a small notch in the middle part. This orchid usually flowers in April and July.

How Did It Get Its Name?

The coastal shaggy orchid was first officially described in 1912. A scientist named Rudolf Schlechter gave it its scientific name, Dendrobium litorale. He published his description in a scientific book called Repertorium Specierum Novarum Regni Vegetabilis Beihefte.

The second part of its scientific name, litorale, comes from a Latin word. It means "of the seashore". This name fits well because the orchid often grows near coastal areas.

Where Does the Coastal Shaggy Orchid Live?

The coastal shaggy orchid grows on trees in two main types of places. It likes lowland rainforests, which are forests close to sea level. It also grows in beach scrub, which is a type of dense plant growth found near beaches. You can find this orchid on Dauan Island in the Torres Strait. It also grows in various parts of New Guinea.