Eyelash orchids facts for kids

The Eyelash orchid (Bulbophyllum macphersonii) is a tiny and unique orchid found only in Queensland, Australia. It's called the eyelash orchid because of the special fringe of hairs on its flower. This orchid can grow on trees or rocks in sheltered places.

What Does the Eyelash Orchid Look Like?

The Eyelash orchid is a small plant that often grows in thick groups. It can grow on other plants, like trees, or on rocks. Plants that grow on other plants are called epiphytes. Those that grow on rocks are called lithophytes.

This orchid has a creeping stem called a rhizome. Its tiny, dark green, round parts are called pseudobulbs. They are about 1 to 2 millimeters long. Each pseudobulb has one thick, green leaf. This leaf can be 5 to 20 millimeters long and 2 to 4 millimeters wide.

The Eyelash orchid has a single flower on a thin stem. The flower is usually dark red or purplish-red. Sometimes, it can be pink, green, or white. Each flower is about 8 to 12 millimeters long and wide.

Flower Parts

The flower has several parts:

• The top part is the dorsal sepal. It's shaped like a narrow egg. It measures about 4 to 6 millimeters long.
• The two side parts are the lateral sepals. They are similar in length to the dorsal sepal. They are joined together.
• The petals spread out wide. They are about 4.5 to 7 millimeters long.
• The most special part is the labellum. This is the orchid's lip. It is very narrow, only about 0.5 millimeters wide. It has a fringe of long, fine hairs. These hairs make the labellum vibrate with the slightest breeze. This is why it's called the "eyelash" orchid!

Eyelash orchids usually bloom between March and August.

How Did the Eyelash Orchid Get Its Name?

The Eyelash orchid was officially described in 1934 by a scientist named Herman Rupp. He published his description in a magazine called The Victorian Naturalist.

Before that, another scientist, Frederick Manson Bailey, had tried to describe it in 1884. The plant's name has changed a few times over the years. Sometimes, scientists discover that a name has already been used for a different plant. When this happens, they have to give the plant a new, unique name.

The specific name, macphersonii, honors Ken PacPherson. He "rediscovered" this orchid in 1933.

There are two main types, or varieties, of this orchid:

• Bulbophyllum macphersonii var. macphersonii: This is known as the small eyelash orchid.
• Bulbophyllum macphersonii var. spathulatum: This is the large eyelash orchid. As its name suggests, it is bigger in all its parts.

Where Do Eyelash Orchids Grow?

The Eyelash orchid grows in Queensland, Australia. You can find it in places like the Cedar Bay National Park, the Atherton Tableland, and near Rockhampton. It prefers sheltered areas in rainforests and open forests. It grows on trees, rocks, and even on cliff faces.