Dwarf spider orchid facts for kids
Caladenia pumila, also known as the dwarf spider orchid, is a special plant from the orchid family. It grows only in Victoria, Australia, which means it's endemic there. This ground orchid has one upright, hairy leaf and a single white flower with light pink stripes. Its short stem helps tell it apart from other spider orchids in Victoria. For many years, people thought this orchid was gone forever after 1933. But then, two plants were found again in 2009!
Quick facts for kids Dwarf spider orchid |
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Caladenia
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| Species: |
pumila
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Contents
What Does the Dwarf Spider Orchid Look Like?
The dwarf spider orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It's a perennial, meaning it lives for more than two years. It's also deciduous, so it loses its leaves at certain times. This plant has a fleshy, upright, and hairy leaf. This leaf is about 60–70 mm (2–3 in) long and 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide. You might see reddish spots near its base.
The orchid grows a single white flower on a stem that is 100–150 mm (4–6 in) tall. The flower itself is quite wide, measuring 50–90 mm (2–4 in) across. It has pale pink stripes, making it look very pretty.
Flower Parts Explained
The flower has parts called sepals and petals. The sepals have thick, club-like tips that are green or brownish. These tips are about 5 mm (0.2 in) long. The top sepal, called the dorsal sepal, curves forward. It is 30–40 mm (1–2 in) long and 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) wide.
The two side sepals, called lateral sepals, spread out wide. They are also 30–40 mm (1–2 in) long but a bit wider, at 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in). The petals are arranged like the side sepals. They are 20–30 mm (0.8–1 in) long and about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide.
The most noticeable part of the flower is the labellum. This is a special petal that acts like a landing pad for insects. It's white with pale pink stripes. The labellum is about 17 mm (0.7 in) long and 18 mm (0.7 in) wide. Sometimes, its sides have small teeth, and its tip curls under.
Along the middle of the labellum, there are four to six rows of pink bumps called calli. These are spread out nicely. The dwarf spider orchid usually blooms in September and October.
How the Dwarf Spider Orchid Got Its Name
The dwarf spider orchid was first officially described in 1922. A scientist named R.S.Rogers gave it its scientific name, Caladenia pumila. He published his description in a scientific paper.
The word pumila comes from Latin. It means "dwarfish" or "little." This name fits the orchid well because its short flowering stem makes it seem small compared to other spider orchids.
Where Does the Dwarf Spider Orchid Live?
The dwarf spider orchid has only been found in one area. It grows in grassy woodlands near a place called Bannockburn in Victoria. Right now, only two plants are known to exist in the wild.
Protecting the Dwarf Spider Orchid
The dwarf spider orchid is a very rare plant. It is listed as "Endangered" by the Victorian Government. This means it's in danger of disappearing forever. The Australian Government also lists it as "Critically Endangered." This is the highest level of threat.
After it was first described in 1922, the number of these orchids dropped quickly. By 1933, only two plants were known. For many years after that, no one saw any dwarf spider orchids. People thought it had become extinct.
But in 2009, two plants were found again! They were discovered in a special nature reserve. Now, people are working hard to help more of these orchids grow.
Threats to the Orchid
Several things threaten the dwarf spider orchid:
- Habitat loss: Its natural home is being damaged or changed.
- Trampling: People or animals walking on the plants can harm them.
- Competition: Other plants might grow too close and take away its resources.
- Lack of diversity: Having only two plants means there isn't much variety in their genes. This makes it harder for them to adapt and survive.
Scientists and conservationists are trying to protect these precious plants. They hope to increase their numbers so the dwarf spider orchid can thrive again.
