Dwarf bee orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dwarf bee orchid |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Diuris
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| Species: |
micrantha
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The dwarf bee orchid, also known as the tiny bee orchid, is a very rare type of orchid. Its scientific name is Diuris micrantha. This special plant only grows in the south-west part of Western Australia. When a plant or animal only lives in one specific area, it is called endemic.
This orchid has four to six long, thin leaves at its base. It can grow up to six yellow flowers. These flowers often have reddish-brown marks on them. You can find the dwarf bee orchid growing in wet, swampy areas south of Perth.
Contents
What Does the Dwarf Bee Orchid Look Like?
The dwarf bee orchid is a type of plant that grows from a tuber. A tuber is like a swollen underground stem that stores food. It is also a perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years. This orchid is a herb, so it does not have a woody stem like a tree.
Leaves and Stems
Each plant has about four to six long, thin leaves. These leaves grow in a loose bunch at the bottom of the plant. They are usually about 8 to 13 centimeters (3 to 5 inches) long. The leaves are also very narrow, only about 1 to 2 millimeters (less than an inch) wide.
The orchid's flowering stem can grow quite tall. It reaches about 30 to 60 centimeters (12 to 24 inches) high. This stem holds the beautiful flowers.
Flowers
The dwarf bee orchid can have up to six yellow flowers. Each flower has reddish-brown marks on it. The flowers are about 14 millimeters (0.5 inches) long and 12 to 13 millimeters (0.5 inches) wide.
Let's look closer at the flower parts:
- The dorsal sepal is the top part of the flower. It curves upwards and is shaped like a narrow egg. It is about 6 to 7.5 millimeters long and 3 millimeters wide.
- The lateral sepals are on the sides. They are green and purplish and hang downwards. They are about 6 to 10 millimeters long.
- The petals stand mostly upright and spread out. They have a round or egg-shaped blade, about 4 to 5.5 millimeters long. There is a clear reddish-brown spot near the tip of each petal.
- The labellum is a special lip-like petal. It is about 5 to 7 millimeters long and has three parts, called lobes. The middle lobe is wide, about 5 to 7 millimeters across. The side lobes are smaller, about 3 to 4 millimeters long.
- Inside the labellum, there are two parallel, reddish-brown ridges. These are called calli and are about 3.5 millimeters long.
The dwarf bee orchid usually blooms in September and October.
Where Does the Dwarf Bee Orchid Grow?
The dwarf bee orchid likes to grow in wet, swampy areas. It is often found among thick sedges, which are grass-like plants. You can find this orchid in the region between Perth and Boyup Brook in Western Australia. This area includes the Jarrah Forest and Swan Coastal Plain regions.
Protecting the Dwarf Bee Orchid
The dwarf bee orchid is a very rare plant. It is classified as "vulnerable" by the Australian Government. This means it is at risk of becoming endangered if we don't protect it. The Department of Environment and Conservation in Western Australia also lists it as "Threatened Flora."
The main dangers to the dwarf bee orchid are:
- Weeds: Other plants that grow too much can take over the orchid's space and resources.
- Fires: Fires that happen at the wrong time, especially in winter and spring, can harm the orchid.
Protecting these special plants helps keep our natural world healthy and diverse.
