Narrow-lipped hammer orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Drakaea thynniphila |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Drakaea
|
| Species: |
thynniphila
|
The narrow-lipped hammer orchid (scientific name: Drakaea thynniphila) is a special type of orchid. It grows only in the southwest part of Western Australia. This amazing flower tricks a certain male wasp into helping it spread its pollen. It does this by looking and smelling just like a female wasp! This orchid is quite common and easy to spot because of the tiny bumps on its leaf and its long flower.
Contents
What the Narrow-Lipped Hammer Orchid Looks Like
The narrow-lipped hammer orchid has one leaf that lies flat on the ground. It also has a special underground part called a tuber. The leaf is shaped like a heart and is about 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) wide. It has tiny bumps and is a shiny dark green. Darker lines spread out from where the leaf connects to the stem.
The stem of the orchid grows about 25 to 40 centimeters (10 to 16 inches) tall. It holds a single flower. The stalk that supports the flower is about 12 to 16 millimeters (0.5 to 0.6 inches) long.
The Flower's Clever Design
The flower of the narrow-lipped hammer orchid is very unique. It has a part called the labellum that looks like a female thynnid wasp. This "wasp body" is long and not very thick. It does not have spots like some other hammer orchids.
The flower also has a small spine on its column, which is the central part of the flower. The back sepal (a leaf-like part) is about 12 to 14 millimeters long. The two side sepals and the petals (the colorful parts) are about 10 to 12 millimeters long.
The insect-like labellum has a "head" part that is about half to one-third the length of the "body." This "head" is very hairy. It has two dark maroon bumps at its base. The rest of the lab labellum, which looks like the female wasp's "body," is also dark maroon. It has some scattered hairs. The very tip of the "abdomen" part is straight. These orchids usually bloom from September to late November.
How This Orchid Got Its Name
The narrow-lipped hammer orchid was first officially described in 1984. A scientist named Alex George gave it the scientific name Drakaea thynniphila.
The name thynniphila comes from two parts. "Thynnid" refers to the thynnid wasp that helps pollinate the flower. The second part, "phílos," is an Ancient Greek word. It means "dear" or "beloved." So, the name means "beloved by the thynnid wasp."
Where the Narrow-Lipped Hammer Orchid Lives
You can find the narrow-lipped hammer orchid in Western Australia. It grows in an area stretching from near Busselton all the way to Albany.
It likes to grow in sandy soil. You can often spot it in open, clear areas within woodlands and forests.
Protecting This Orchid
The good news is that the narrow-lipped hammer orchid is not considered to be in danger. The Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife says it is "not threatened." This means there are enough of these special orchids growing in the wild.
