Graceful spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Graceful spider orchid |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
venusta
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| Synonyms | |
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Arachnorchis venusta (G.W.Carr) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. |
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The graceful spider orchid (also called the large white spider orchid or white spider orchid) is a beautiful plant. It belongs to the orchid family, which is known for its amazing flowers. This special orchid only grows in southern Australia. It lives on the ground and has one leaf. Its flowers are white or cream-coloured. They often have cool, drooping, thread-like tips that are brown.
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What the Graceful Spider Orchid Looks Like
The graceful spider orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber (like a small potato). It's a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It's also deciduous, so its leaves might fall off at certain times.
Each plant has one leaf. This leaf is usually 10 to 18 centimeters (about 4 to 7 inches) long. It is about 8 to 12 millimeters (less than half an inch) wide.
The plant grows one or two flowers on a tall stem. This stem can be 20 to 60 centimeters (about 8 to 24 inches) high. The flowers themselves are quite large, about 8 to 12 centimeters (3 to 5 inches) wide. They are white or cream-coloured.
Flower Parts
The flowers have special parts called sepals and petals. These parts often have thick, brown, thread-like tips that droop down.
- The dorsal sepal is the top sepal. It stands straight up and is 6 to 10 centimeters long.
- The lateral sepals are the two side sepals. They spread out and also droop downwards. They are about the same length as the dorsal sepal.
- The petals are similar to the sepals but a bit shorter. They also have drooping tips.
The labellum is a special lip-like petal in the center of the orchid. It is white or cream-coloured. Its tip is usually rolled under, and its sides turn upwards. The labellum has many thin, reddish "teeth" along its sides. It also has rows of reddish, foot-shaped bumps called calli along its middle. The longest calli are near the base of the labellum.
This orchid usually blooms from September to November.
How the Graceful Spider Orchid Got its Name
The graceful spider orchid was first officially described in 1991. This was done by a scientist named Geoffrey Carr. He published his description in a paper called Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association Miscellaneous Paper 1.
The second part of its scientific name, venusta, comes from a Latin word. It means "lovely," "beautiful," "elegant," or "graceful." This is why one of its common names is the "graceful spider orchid."
Where the Graceful Spider Orchid Lives
The graceful spider orchid is most often found in Victoria, Australia. Even there, it is quite rare. It usually grows in woodlands near the coast. You can also find it in the Grampians.
It has also been seen in the far south-east of South Australia. Scientists think it might also grow on the south-west slopes of New South Wales.
