Freak rein orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Freak rein orchid |
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| Drawing of H. xanthantha by Lewis Roberts | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Habenaria
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| Species: |
xanthantha
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The Freak Rein Orchid (scientific name: Habenaria xanthantha) is a special type of orchid plant. It grows only in far northern Queensland, Australia. This orchid usually has two or three leaves near its base. It can grow up to twenty small white flowers. These flowers are unique because they often don't have a "nectary spur." A nectary spur is a small tube that holds nectar, which is a sweet liquid that attracts insects.
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What the Freak Rein Orchid Looks Like
The Freak Rein Orchid is a plant that grows from a tuber. A tuber is like a small underground storage part, similar to a potato. This plant is a perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years.
It has two or three leaves that stand upright. These leaves are about 50–80 mm (2–3 in) long and 4–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide.
The plant produces between eight and twenty white flowers. These flowers are small, about 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) long and 10–12 mm (0.39–0.47 in) wide. They grow on a flowering stem that can be 150–350 mm (6–10 in) tall.
Flower Parts
The top part of the flower is called the dorsal sepal. It is about 6 mm (0.2 in) long and 2.5 mm (0.1 in) wide. This sepal, along with the petals, forms a small hood over the center of the flower.
The side parts, called lateral sepals, are 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long and about 3 mm (0.1 in) wide. They spread out and point downwards. The petals are similar in size to these lateral sepals.
The lower lip of the flower is called the labellum. It is 5–7.5 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and about 3 mm (0.1 in) wide. Sometimes, this labellum has three small parts, or lobes.
When it is present, the nectary spur is very short, only up to 2 mm (0.08 in) long. The Freak Rein Orchid usually flowers from March to April.
How the Orchid Got its Name
The scientific name Habenaria xanthantha was first officially described in 1869. This was done by a scientist named Ferdinand von Mueller. His description was published in a book called Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae.
The second part of the name, xanthantha, comes from two ancient Greek words. "Xanthos" means "yellow," and "anthos" means "flower." This means the name suggests "yellow flower." However, it's interesting because no yellow-flowering Freak Rein Orchids have been seen in the last fifty years!
Where the Freak Rein Orchid Lives
The Freak Rein Orchid grows in areas that are moist to wet. It likes to live in woodlands. You can find this orchid on some of the Torres Strait Islands. It also grows on the Cape York Peninsula and as far south as Proserpine in Queensland.
