Streaked rock orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Streaked rock orchid |
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| The Streaked Rock Orchid (Dendrobium striolatum) growing in the Budawangs | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Dendrobium
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| Species: |
striolatum
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The Dendrobium striolatum, also known as the streaked rock orchid, is a special type of orchid. It grows only in eastern Australia, which means it is endemic there. This small orchid usually grows on rocks, so it's called a lithophyte.
It has thin, wire-like stems and leaves shaped like cylinders. Its flowers are yellow, cream, or greenish, and they have cool reddish stripes. You can often find this orchid growing on cliff faces in New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania.
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What Does the Streaked Rock Orchid Look Like?
The streaked rock orchid is a lithophytic plant, meaning it loves to grow on rocks. Its stems can stand up or hang down. These stems are thin and look like wires, often yellowish. They can grow up to 60 centimeters (about 2 feet) long and about 2 millimeters (less than an inch) wide.
Its leaves are long and round, like small tubes. They are usually between 4 and 12 centimeters (about 1.5 to 4.5 inches) long and 2 to 4 millimeters (less than an inch) wide.
Flowers of the Streaked Rock Orchid
The orchid's flowering stems are short, about 1 to 3.5 centimeters (less than 1.5 inches) long. Each stem usually has one or two flowers. These flowers are about 1.2 to 1.6 centimeters (about 0.5 to 0.6 inches) long and 1.5 to 2 centimeters (about 0.6 to 0.8 inches) wide.
The outer parts of the flower, called sepals and petals, are yellow, cream, or greenish. They have reddish stripes on their backs and near their bases. The sepals are about 8 to 14 millimeters long, and the petals are similar in length but much thinner.
The special lip-shaped petal, called the labellum, is about 9 to 12 millimeters long. It is strongly curved. The sides of the labellum are short and rounded. The middle part has wavy edges and three wavy lines down its center. These orchids usually bloom from September to November.
Where Does the Streaked Rock Orchid Live?
You can find the streaked rock orchid growing on rocks, large stones, and cliffs. It lives in the Blue Mountains area of New South Wales. From there, its home stretches through eastern Victoria and all the way to Tasmania. This includes smaller islands like Cape Barren Island and Flinders Island.
How Was the Streaked Rock Orchid Named?
The streaked rock orchid was first officially described in 1857. A scientist named Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach gave it the formal name Dendrobium striolatum. He published his description in a German garden and flower magazine.
The second part of its name, striolatum, comes from a Latin word. It means "hollow out," "channel," "groove," or "furrow." This name likely refers to the reddish stripes or grooves on its flowers.
Images for kids
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The Streaked Rock Orchid (Dendrobium striolatum) growing in the Budawangs
