Easter bunny orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Easter bunny orchid |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Genus: | Eriochilus |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
E. d. subsp. magnus
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| Trinomial name | |
| Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. magnus Hopper & A.P.Br.
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The Easter bunny orchid (scientific name: Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. magnus) is a special type of orchid. It belongs to the large orchid family. This plant is found only in Western Australia. This means it is endemic there.
It has one big, smooth, flat leaf. The plant also grows up to 25 flowers. These flowers are dull green, red, and white. You can find this orchid in wet areas. It grows between the cities of Perth and Albany.
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About the Easter Bunny Orchid
The Easter bunny orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It is a perennial plant. This means it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, so its leaves fall off each year.
This orchid has a special underground part called a tuber. It also has one smooth, flat leaf. This leaf is shaped like a wide egg. It can be from 15 to 75 mm (0.6 to 3 in) long. The leaf is also 6 to 30 mm (0.2 to 1 in) wide.
What the Flowers Look Like
The orchid can grow up to 25 flowers. These flowers are found on a tall stem. The stem can be 130 to 400 mm (5 to 16 in) high. Each flower is about 10 to 20 mm (0.4 to 0.8 in) long. They are also 10 to 18 mm (0.4 to 0.7 in) wide.
The flowers are mostly dull green with red marks. But the side parts, called sepals, are white. The special lip part of the flower, called the labellum, has three sections. It has many red and white hairs. This lip also curves strongly downwards. You can see these flowers blooming from April to May.
Naming the Orchid
The Easter bunny orchid was first officially described in 2006. Two scientists, Stephen Hopper and Andrew Brown, named it. They found a sample of the plant in the Warren National Park.
The description was published in a science journal called Nuytsia. The second part of its scientific name, magnus, is a Latin word. It means "large." This name was chosen because of the orchid's big leaf and tall stem.
Where the Orchid Lives
The Easter bunny orchid grows in forests that get a lot of rain. It is quite common in some areas. You can find it between Perth and Porongurup National Park. It grows in specific natural areas. These include the Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain, and Warren regions.
Protecting the Orchid
The Western Australian Government looks after plants and animals. Their Department of Parks and Wildlife checks on the Easter bunny orchid. They have said that Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. magnus is "not threatened." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
