Green corduroy orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Green corduroy orchid |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eulophia
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| Species: |
bicallosa
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| Synonyms | |
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The green corduroy orchid (scientific name: Eulophia bicallosa) is a beautiful plant. It belongs to the orchid family. This orchid grows naturally in warm, wet places. You can find it from tropical Asia all the way to northern Australia. It is a terrestrial orchid, meaning it grows in the ground. It has one long, narrow leaf. Its flowers are pale green or cream-colored. They often have pretty purplish marks. This orchid likes to grow in rainforests and woodlands.
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What the Green Corduroy Orchid Looks Like
The green corduroy orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It has a single dark green leaf. This leaf is long and narrow, like a ribbon. It also has many small folds, making it look "pleated." The leaf can be about 20 to 40 centimeters (8-16 inches) long. It grows on a stalk that is about 5 to 15 centimeters (2-6 inches) tall.
Flowers of the Orchid
This orchid grows a tall flowering stem. This stem can be 25 to 40 centimeters (10-16 inches) long. On each stem, you can find 10 to 20 flowers. The flowers are pale green or cream-colored. They often have purple markings. Each flower is about 2.5 to 3 centimeters (1-1.2 inches) long and wide.
The orchid flowers have special parts:
- Sepals: These are like small leaves that protect the flower. They are about 1.2 to 1.6 centimeters (0.5-0.6 inches) long. The top sepal stands up straight. The side sepals spread out wide.
- Petals: These are the colorful parts of the flower. They are about 0.9 to 1.3 centimeters (0.35-0.5 inches) long. The side sepals partly cover them.
- Labellum: This is a special lip-shaped petal. It is about 1.4 to 1.7 centimeters (0.55-0.67 inches) long. The labellum is pale green and has three parts, called lobes. The middle lobe points downwards and has a wavy edge. The two side lobes stand upright.
In Australia, these orchids usually bloom between September and November. In China, they flower in June.
How the Green Corduroy Orchid Got Its Name
The green corduroy orchid has a scientific name, Eulophia bicallosa. Scientists use these names to make sure everyone knows exactly which plant they are talking about.
History of Its Name
The first time this orchid was officially described was in 1825. A scientist named David Don gave it the name Bletium bicallosa. Later, in 1966, two other scientists, Peter Francis Hunt and Victor Summerhayes, changed its name to Eulophia bicallosa.
Meaning of "Bicallosa"
The second part of the scientific name, bicallosa, comes from two Latin words.
- Bi- means "two" or "double."
- Callosa means "with a hard skin."
This name refers to two small, hard bumps or ridges found on the orchid's labellum (the special lip-shaped petal).
Where the Green Corduroy Orchid Lives
The green corduroy orchid grows in different parts of the world. It likes to live in woodlands and rainforests.
Locations Around the World
You can find Eulophia bicallosa in:
- Coastal areas of Queensland in Australia.
- The Kimberley region of Western Australia.
- Hainan province in China.
- Other countries like India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and New Guinea.
