Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. dilatatus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White bunny orchid |
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| Eriochilus dilatatus | |
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. dilatatus
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| Trinomial name | |
| Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. dilatatus |
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| Synonyms | |
The white bunny orchid (Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. dilatatus) is a special plant from the Orchid family. It grows only in Western Australia, which means it is endemic there. This orchid has a single narrow leaf and pretty greenish and white flowers. These flowers often have reddish or purple marks. It's a common plant that grows in many different places. You can often see lots of them blooming after a bushfire.
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What Does the White Bunny Orchid Look Like?
The white bunny orchid is a type of herb that grows from an underground tuber. This means it's a plant that dies back each year but grows again from its underground part. It has one long, narrow, egg-shaped leaf that is smooth (which means glabrous). This leaf can be about 29–90 mm (1–4 in) long and 4–15 mm (0.2–0.6 in) wide. The leaf is dark green and grows on a stalk up to 150 mm (6 in) tall.
The Flowers of the White Bunny Orchid
Each plant has between two and seven flowers. These flowers are about 14–18 mm (0.6–0.7 in) long and 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide. They grow on a stem that can be 100–300 mm (4–10 in) tall. The flowers are mostly greenish with reddish marks. However, the two side sepals are white.
Parts of the Flower
The top sepal (called the dorsal sepal) is shaped like a spatula. It is about 8–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and 2 mm (0.08 in) wide. The two side sepals (called lateral sepals) are 13–15 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. They grow on a small stalk about 3 mm (0.1 in) long. The petals are 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and about 1 mm (0.04 in) wide. The special lip petal, called the labellum, is 8–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. It has three parts (lobes) and is covered with scattered groups of red and white hairs. White bunny orchids usually bloom from March to June.
How Did the White Bunny Orchid Get Its Name?
The white bunny orchid was first officially described in 1840. A scientist named John Lindley gave it the name Eriochilus latifolius. He wrote about it in a book called A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony. Later, in 1873, another scientist named George Bentham changed its name to Eriochilus dilatatus var. latifolius. Then, in 2006, Stephen Hopper and Andrew Brown gave it its current name: E. dilatatus subsp. dilatatus. The second part of its scientific name, dilatatus, is a Latin word. It means "spread out," "enlarge," or "extend."
Where Does the White Bunny Orchid Grow?
The white bunny orchid grows in different types of places in Western Australia. You can find it in woodlands (areas with many trees), shrublands (areas with many bushes), and in shallow soil on granite rocks. It grows all the way from Dirk Hartog Island to Israelite Bay.
Is the White Bunny Orchid Endangered?
No, the white bunny orchid is not in danger. The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife says it is "not threatened." This means there are plenty of these orchids around, and they are not at risk of disappearing.
