Nodding swamp orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nodding swamp orchid |
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| Geodorum densiflorum growing near Peravoor | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Geodorum
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| Species: |
densiflorum
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| Synonyms | |
The Geodorum densiflorum, also known as the pink nodding orchid, is a beautiful plant from the orchid family. You might also hear it called 地宝兰 (di bao lan) in some places. This orchid grows naturally in warm, wet parts of the world, from tropical Asia all the way to eastern Australia and some Pacific Islands.
It's a terrestrial orchid, which means it grows in the ground, not on trees. It has wide, pleated leaves that are dark green or yellowish. Its flowers are usually pale pink with dark red lines on the labellum, which is a special part of the orchid flower. You can find this orchid in wet places like rainforests, woodlands, grasslands, and even swamps.
What it Looks Like
The Geodorum densiflorum is a leafy plant that grows from rounded, underground stems called pseudobulbs. These pseudobulbs are about 3 to 5 centimeters (1.2 to 2 inches) long and 2 to 3 centimeters (0.8 to 1.2 inches) wide.
Each plant has three to five leaves. They are dark green or yellowish and have a pleated look. These leaves can be quite long, about 25 to 35 centimeters (10 to 14 inches) long and 6 to 8 centimeters (2.4 to 3.1 inches) wide. They grow on a stalk that is 2 to 8 centimeters (0.8 to 3.1 inches) long.
The plant produces a flowering stem that is 20 to 40 centimeters (7.9 to 15.7 inches) long. On this stem, you'll find between eight and twenty pale pink flowers. Each flower is about 1.8 to 2 centimeters (0.7 to 0.8 inches) wide. Interestingly, these flowers often don't open up all the way.
The sepals, which are like small leaves that protect the flower bud, are about 1 to 1.2 centimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) long. The petals, which are the colorful parts of the flower, are similar in length but wider. The labellum, a special lip-like petal, is pink with dark red lines. It's about 1 to 1.1 centimeters (0.4 to 0.43 inches) long, and its sides curve upwards. In Australia, these orchids usually bloom between December and February. In Asia, they flower from June to July.
Naming and History
This orchid was first officially described in 1792 by a French scientist named Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. He first called it Limodorum densiflorum. Later, in 1919, another scientist named Rudolf Schlechter changed its name to Geodorum densiflorum.
The second part of its scientific name, densiflorum, comes from two Latin words. Densus means "thick" or "compact," and flos means "flower." So, densiflorum basically means "thickly flowered" or "compactly flowered," which describes how its flowers grow close together.
Where it Grows
The Geodorum densiflorum orchid is found in many different countries and regions. It grows in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and parts of China like Guangdong and Taiwan. You can also find it in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea, and many Pacific Islands like Fiji, Samoa, and Vanuatu.
In Australia, this orchid grows in Western Australia, the northern parts of the Northern Territory, and along the eastern coast from Cape York in Queensland down to the Macleay River in New South Wales. It likes to grow in wet places such as rainforests, other types of forests, and grasslands.
Protecting the Orchid
In New South Wales, Australia, the Geodorum densiflorum orchid is listed as "endangered." This means there aren't many of these plants left, and they are at risk of disappearing.
The main reasons this orchid is in danger are:
- Habitat loss: The places where it naturally grows are being destroyed or changed.
- Weed invasion: Other plants (weeds) are growing where the orchids should be, taking over their space and resources.
- Trampling: People or animals walking on the plants can damage or kill them.
Efforts are being made to protect this special orchid and its habitats.
See also
In Spanish: Geodorum densiflorum para niños
