Dwarf hammer orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dwarf hammer orchid |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Drakaea
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| Species: |
micrantha
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The dwarf hammer orchid, known scientifically as Drakaea micrantha, is a special type of orchid that grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. It's called a "hammer orchid" because of its unique flower shape.
Like other hammer orchids, it has a clever way of getting pollinated. It tricks a specific type of male thynnid wasp into helping it. The orchid's special petal, called a labellum, looks and even smells like a female thynnid wasp that can't fly. This tricks the male wasp into trying to mate with the flower, which helps spread the orchid's pollen.
This orchid has a single, silvery-grey leaf shaped like a heart, with clear green lines. Its stem can grow up to 30 centimeters (about 12 inches) tall. The dwarf hammer orchid is quite rare, found only in a few places in Western Australia. Because it's so rare, the Australian government has listed it as "vulnerable," meaning it needs protection.
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What Does the Dwarf Hammer Orchid Look Like?
The dwarf hammer orchid has a single leaf that lies close to the ground. This leaf is shaped like a heart, about 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) across. It's a shiny, silvery-grey color with darker green lines spreading out from where it connects to the plant.
The stem of the orchid grows between 15 and 30 centimeters (6 to 12 inches) tall. Each stem usually has just one flower. The small stalk holding the flower is about 10 to 15 millimeters (0.4 to 0.6 inches) long.
The Orchid's Clever Flower
The flower of the dwarf hammer orchid is very special. Its labellum (a modified petal) looks a lot like a female thynnid wasp. This is how it tricks the male wasps! You can tell this orchid apart from other hammer orchids because it has a small spike on its column (the central part of the flower). Its labellum also has a straight end and a narrow "neck."
The back petal, called a sepal, is 7 to 10 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long. The two side sepals and the other petals are 6 to 9 millimeters (0.2 to 0.4 inches) long. The part of the labellum that looks like the wasp's "head" is about half as long as its "body" and is covered in tiny hairs. The "body" of the labellum is dark, slightly puffy, and also has a few hairs. These orchids bloom in September and October.
Where Does the Dwarf Hammer Orchid Live?
The dwarf hammer orchid is found in a few specific areas in Western Australia. You can find it near Perth, Augusta, and in Porongurup National Park. It likes to grow in sandy soil within woodland areas, often close to groups of Kunzea glabrescens plants.
Why is the Dwarf Hammer Orchid Special?
The dwarf hammer orchid is a "vulnerable" species. This means it's at risk of disappearing if we don't protect it. In 2007, experts estimated there were only about 514 mature plants left, spread across 32 small groups.
The Western Australian government lists it as "threatened" because it's likely to become extinct or is very rare and needs special care. The main danger to these orchids is fire, especially when they are growing and flowering between June and early October. Protecting their habitat from fires is very important for their survival.
