Fringed spur orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fringed spur orchid |
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| Illustration of Crepidium fimbriatum by Lewis Roberts | |
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Crepidium
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fimbriatum
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The Fringed Spur Orchid, also known as Crepidium fimbriatum, is a special type of orchid. It grows only in the tropical parts of Far North Queensland, Australia. This orchid is an evergreen plant, meaning it stays green all year. It grows on the ground and has a thick stem, wavy leaves, and lots of purple flowers. These flowers grow close together on a purple stem.
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What the Fringed Spur Orchid Looks Like
The Fringed Spur Orchid is a plant that grows on land. It has thick stems that are about 10 to 20 centimeters (4 to 8 inches) long and 1 centimeter (0.4 inches) wide. These stems lie flat on the ground.
The plant usually has four to fifteen leaves. Each leaf is about 7 to 12 centimeters (3 to 5 inches) long and 4 to 5 centimeters (1.6 to 2 inches) wide. The leaves are dark green and shaped like an egg. They have a pleated look and wavy edges.
Many purple flowers grow close together on a purple stem. This stem can be 15 to 25 centimeters (6 to 10 inches) long. The flowers are small, about 5 to 7 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long and 3 to 4 millimeters (0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide.
Each flower has parts called sepals and petals. The sepals are egg-shaped, about 3 millimeters (0.1 inches) long. The top sepal points downwards, while the side sepals stand up and spread apart. The petals are slightly smaller than the sepals and have a pointed tip.
The most interesting part is the labellum, which is like a lip. It's shaped like a horseshoe, about 4 millimeters (0.2 inches) long. It has about ten small teeth near its end, which gives the orchid its "fringed" name. These orchids usually bloom between January and March.
Naming the Orchid
The Fringed Spur Orchid was first officially described in 1981 by a scientist named Bill Lavarack. He first named it Malaxis fimbriatum. Later, in 1995, another scientist named Dariusz Szlachetko changed its name to Crepidium fimbriatum.
The second part of its name, fimbriatum, is a Latin word. It means "fringed" or "fibrous," which describes the small teeth on the orchid's labellum.
Where the Orchid Lives
The Fringed Spur Orchid grows in shady spots within rainforests. It is found in the McIlwraith Range in Far North Queensland. It might also grow in other similar areas.
Protecting the Orchid
This special orchid is considered "vulnerable." This means it is at risk of disappearing if we don't protect it. The Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 helps to protect this plant and its habitat.
