Hairy jewel orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hairy jewel orchid |
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| Flower | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hetaeria
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| Species: |
oblongifolia
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The hairy jewel orchid, also known as Hetaeria oblongifolia, is a special type of orchid. It grows naturally in places like Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and Queensland in Australia. This plant has dark green leaves that are shaped like eggs. It also grows many small, hairy flowers that are green and white. These flowers have a unique deep pouch near the bottom of their lip, called a labellum.
What Does It Look Like?
The hairy jewel orchid is a plant that lives for many years. It grows from a special underground stem called a tuber. Its dark green, egg-shaped leaves grow in a loose circle. There are usually between four and eight leaves. Each leaf is about 50 to 80 millimeters (2 to 3 inches) long. They are also about 25 to 35 millimeters (1 to 1.4 inches) wide.
The plant produces a hairy flowering stem that stands about 150 to 300 millimeters (6 to 12 inches) tall. On this stem, you can find between fifteen and forty-five small flowers. These flowers are green and white and feel hairy. Each flower is about 4 to 4.5 millimeters (0.16 to 0.18 inches) long. They are also about 6 to 7 millimeters (0.24 to 0.28 inches) wide.
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, is egg-shaped. It forms a little hood over the flower's central part, called the column. The side parts, or lateral sepals, point forward. The petals are about 4 millimeters (0.16 inches) long and curve inwards. The labellum, or lip, is white with a yellow spot. It has edges that roll inwards and a deep pouch at its base. These orchids usually bloom from July to October.
How It Got Its Name
Scientists give plants special names to help identify them. The hairy jewel orchid was first officially described in 1825. This was done by a scientist named Carl Ludwig Blume. He published his description in a book about the plants of the Dutch East Indies.
The second part of the orchid's scientific name, oblongifolia, tells us something about the plant. It comes from two Latin words. Oblongus means "elongated" or "longish". Folium means "leaf". So, oblongifolia simply means "with elongated leaves".
Where Does It Live?
The hairy jewel orchid likes to grow in warm, wet places. You can often find it on sheltered slopes in rainforests. It also likes to grow near streams. This orchid is found in many countries. These include Indonesia, Malaysia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, Thailand, and Vanuatu. In Australia, it grows in Queensland. You can find it there between the Iron Range National Park and Rockhampton.
Images for kids
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Group of flowering individuals on Niue.
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A single flowering individual on Niue.
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Top view of leaves.
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Inflorescence.
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Inflorescence closeup.
