Fringed spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fringed spider orchid |
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| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
longifimbriata
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The Caladenia longifimbriata, also known as the fringed spider orchid or green-comb spider orchid, is a very special and rare type of orchid. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This means it is endemic to that area, found nowhere else in the world!
This unique orchid has a single, fuzzy leaf. It produces one or two flowers that are green, red, and white. A key feature is its long, fringed labellum, which is like a special lip on the flower. You can only find this orchid in a few small groups between the towns of Jerramungup and Esperance.
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What Does the Fringed Spider Orchid Look Like?
The Fringed Spider Orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It is a perennial herb, meaning it lives for more than two years. It also loses its leaves each year, which is called being deciduous. This orchid has an underground tuber, which is like a small storage organ.
From the tuber, a single, upright, hairy leaf grows. This leaf is about 80 to 120 mm (3 to 5 inches) long. It is also about 6 to 12 mm (0.2 to 0.5 inches) wide.
The orchid produces one or two beautiful flowers. These flowers are about 60 to 80 mm (2 to 3 inches) long. They are also about 50 to 60 mm (2.0 to 2.4 inches) wide. The flowers grow on a stalk that is about 250 to 350 mm (10 to 14 inches) tall.
The flower parts called sepals have thin, brown, club-shaped tips. These tips are about 8 to 12 mm (0.3 to 0.5 inches) long. The top sepal stands straight up. It is about 40 to 50 mm (1.6 to 2.0 inches) long. It is also about 2 to 3 mm (0.08 to 0.12 inches) wide.
The side sepals are about 35 to 50 mm (1.4 to 2.0 inches) long. They are about 3 to 4 mm (0.12 to 0.16 inches) wide. These sepals point downwards near the bottom. But they curve upwards closer to their tips. The petals are about 25 to 35 mm (1.0 to 1.4 inches) long. They are about 2 to 3 mm (0.08 to 0.12 inches) wide. These petals spread out wide or point slightly downwards.
The labellum is a special lip-like part of the flower. It is about 10 to 15 mm (0.4 to 0.6 inches) long. It is also about 15 to 18 mm (0.6 to 0.7 inches) wide. The labellum is green and white with a red tip. It is gently attached to the column, which is the central part of the orchid flower.
The sides of the labellum have thin "teeth" that can be up to 10 mm (0.4 inches) long. In the middle of the labellum, there are four or more rows of tiny, red bumps called calli. These calli are packed closely together. They can be up to 5 mm (0.2 inches) long. The Fringed Spider Orchid usually blooms from August to September.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The Fringed Spider Orchid was first officially described in 2001. Two scientists, Stephen Hopper and Andrew Phillip Brown, described it. They found a sample of the orchid near Jerramungup. Their description was published in a science journal called Nuytsia.
The scientific name longifimbriata comes from two Latin words. Longus means "long". Fimbriatus means "fringed" or "fibrous". This name perfectly describes the orchid's long, fringed labellum.
Where Does the Fringed Spider Orchid Live?
The Fringed Spider Orchid grows in small, spread-out groups. You can find it between Jerramungup and Esperance. These areas are part of the Esperance Plains and Mallee regions in Western Australia. It likes to grow in mallee woodland, which is a type of forest. It is often found near streams that only flow sometimes.
Why Is This Orchid Special?
The Fringed Spider Orchid is very important to protect. The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has classified it as "Priority One".
This "Priority One" status means that the orchid is known in only a few places. These places are at risk of being disturbed or destroyed. Protecting these rare plants helps keep our natural world healthy and diverse for the future.
