Flinders fingers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Flinders fingers |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
xantholeuca
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| Synonyms | |
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Petalochilus xantholeucus (D.L.Jones) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. |
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Caladenia xantholeuca, commonly known as Flinders fingers, is a special type of orchid. It grows only in South Australia, which means it is endemic to that area. This orchid has one upright, hairy leaf and can grow up to four white flowers with green backs. There are two main groups of these orchids that live far apart. Scientists are still researching if these groups might actually be different species.
Contents
What Does Flinders Fingers Look Like?
Flinders fingers is a plant that grows from an underground tuber (like a small potato). It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It is also a deciduous herb, so its leaves might die back during certain times of the year.
Leaves and Stems
Each plant has a single, bright green leaf that is hairy. This leaf can be between 150 and 240 mm long and 5 to 7 mm wide. The flowers grow on a tall stalk, which can be 150 to 250 mm high.
Flowers
The flowers are white with green on their backs. They are usually 17 to 24 mm long and 20 to 30 mm wide.
- The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, stands upright. It is 12 to 16 mm long and 3 to 4 mm wide.
- The side sepals are 17 to 21 mm long and 5 to 6 mm wide. They point downwards.
- The petals are 16 to 18 mm long and about 4 mm wide. They spread out sideways.
- The labellum is a special lip-like part of the flower. It is 6 to 7 mm long and 6 to 8 mm wide. It is white with a yellow tip that has a few small, blunt teeth and curves downwards. The sides of the labellum curve upwards, surrounding the central part of the flower called the column.
- There are two rows of yellow bumps, called calli, along the middle of the labellum. These are about 1.5 mm long.
Flinders fingers usually blooms from September to October.
How Flinders Fingers Got Its Name
Caladenia xantholeuca was first officially described in 1998. A botanist named David Jones found a sample of the plant in Telowie Gorge. He then wrote about it in a scientific book called Australian Orchid Research.
Meaning of the Name
The scientific name xantholeuca comes from two Ancient Greek words:
- xanthos means "yellow"
- leukos means "white"
This name describes the flower perfectly, as it is white with yellow parts on its labellum.
Where Flinders Fingers Lives
There are only three known places where Flinders fingers grows. Two of these are in the Mount Remarkable National Park, and one is in the Telowie Gorge Conservation Park. Each of these spots has about 80 plants.
Challenges for the Orchid
It has been hard to find this orchid since 1982. This is because of long periods of dry weather (droughts) and a lack of bushfires. A photograph taken in 2011 confirmed that the orchid was still there.
Possible New Species
Scientists have noticed small differences between the orchids found in Telowie Gorge and those on Mount Remarkable. It is possible that in the future, these groups might be identified as separate species.
Protecting Flinders Fingers
Caladenia xantholeuca is considered an "endangered" species. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever. It is protected under two important laws:
- The Australian Government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
- South Australia's National Parks and Wildlife Act
These laws help to protect the plant and its habitat.
