Late leopard orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Late leopard orchid |
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| Diuris semilunulata near Paddys River | |
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Diuris
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| Species: |
semilunulata
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The late leopard orchid, also known by its scientific name Diuris semilunulata, is a special type of orchid. It grows only in certain parts of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory in Australia. This orchid has two leaves that look like grass. It also has up to five beautiful orange flowers. These flowers often have brown and purple spots, making them look a bit like a leopard's spots!
What Does the Late Leopard Orchid Look Like?
The late leopard orchid is a plant that grows from a tuber (a swollen underground stem, like a potato). It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It has two long, thin leaves. Each leaf is about 150 to 250 millimeters (6 to 10 inches) long. They are also about 3 to 4 millimeters (0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide and are folded lengthwise.
This orchid grows a flowering stem that stands about 200 to 350 millimeters (8 to 14 inches) tall. On this stem, you can find between three and five orange flowers. These flowers have large brown and purple blotches. Each flower is about 20 to 30 millimeters (0.8 to 1.2 inches) wide.
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The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, stands upright. It is shaped like an egg and is about 8 to 10 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long. The two side sepals are long and narrow. They are about 12 to 18 millimeters (0.5 to 0.7 inches) long. These sepals point downwards or backwards and often cross over each other.
The petals of the flower curve backwards. They are broadly egg-shaped or almost round. Each petal is about 5 to 11 millimeters (0.2 to 0.4 inches) long. They sit on a dark reddish-brown stalk that is about 5 to 9 millimeters (0.2 to 0.4 inches) long.
The bottom part of the flower is called the labellum. It is about 4 to 8 millimeters (0.16 to 0.3 inches) long and has three parts, called lobes. The middle lobe is wedge-shaped and about 5 to 7 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) wide. It has a ridge in the middle. The two side lobes are about 5 to 8 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long. There are also two raised bumps, called callus ridges, on the labellum. They are about 3 to 6 millimeters (0.1 to 0.2 inches) long.
You can usually see these orchids flowering from October to December.
How Did This Orchid Get Its Name?
The late leopard orchid, Diuris semilunulata, was first officially described in 1944. A scientist named Pearl Messmer wrote down its description. This description was then published in a book called The Orchids of New South Wales, written by Herman Rupp.
Where Does the Late Leopard Orchid Grow?
The late leopard orchid mostly grows in places with shallow, rocky soil. You can find it in open forests. It grows in the Australian Capital Territory and in New South Wales, especially south of a place called Nerriga. It might also grow in Victoria.
