Black midge orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black midge orchid |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Genoplesium
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| Species: |
anthracinum
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The black midge orchid (scientific name: Genoplesium anthracinum) is a small, special type of orchid. It's also known as Corunastylis anthracina in Australia. This unique plant only grows in New South Wales, which means it is endemic there. It has a single thin leaf and up to thirty tiny, very dark, coal-black flowers. You can find it growing in heath areas along the coast and near the coast in the Northern Rivers region.
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What Does the Black Midge Orchid Look Like?
The black midge orchid is a plant that grows from an underground storage part called a tuber. It's a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years, and it's deciduous, so it loses its leaves at certain times.
It has one thin leaf that is about 100 to 200 millimeters (4 to 8 inches) long. This leaf is attached to the stem where the flowers grow. The free part of the leaf, which isn't attached, is about 15 to 28 millimeters (0.6 to 1.1 inches) long.
Its Unique Flowers
Between eight and thirty coal-black flowers grow on a stem that is about 15 to 40 millimeters (0.6 to 1.6 inches) tall. This flower stem is taller than the leaf. Each flower is about 4 millimeters (0.16 inches) long and 5 millimeters (0.20 inches) wide.
What's interesting is that the flowers are inverted. This means the labellum (a special lip-like part of the orchid flower) is above the column (the central part) instead of below it.
- The top petal, called the dorsal sepal, is about 4 millimeters (0.16 inches) long and 3.5 millimeters (0.14 inches) wide. It has smooth edges.
- The two side petals, called lateral sepals, are about 6 millimeters (0.24 inches) long and 1.5 millimeters (0.06 inches) wide. They have a noticeable gland at their pointed tips and spread wide apart.
- The other petals are about 2.5 millimeters (0.10 inches) long and 1 millimeter (0.04 inches) wide. They also have smooth edges and spread widely.
- The labellum itself is about 2.5 millimeters (0.10 inches) long and 1 millimeter (0.04 inches) wide. It has an uneven edge and a sharp, pointed tip.
- There's a thick, raised part called a callus in the middle of the labellum, reaching almost to its tip.
These orchids usually bloom in April and May.
How It Got Its Name
The black midge orchid was first officially described in 2006 by a botanist named David Jones. He gave it the name Corunastylis anthracina. He published his description in a scientific paper called Australian Orchid Research.
Later, in 2014, another botanist, Julian Shaw, changed its name to Genoplesium anthracinum. The second part of its scientific name, anthracinum, comes from an Ancient Greek word. It means "pertaining to coal," which perfectly describes the flower's dark, coal-like color!
Where Does It Grow?
Genoplesium anthracinum grows in heath areas. These are places with low-growing shrubs and plants. You can often find it growing in disturbed sites, like areas where the ground has been moved or changed. It is found between Byron Bay and Wardell in New South Wales.
