Judy's spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Judy's spider orchid |
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Caladenia
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williamsiae
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Caladenia williamsiae, also known as Judy's spider orchid, is a special type of orchid. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This orchid is quite rare. It has one large, hairy leaf and one or two pretty flowers. The flowers are greenish-yellow with red parts. You can only find this orchid in one area near Brookton.
Contents
What Judy's Spider Orchid Looks Like
Judy's spider orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber. It has one upright, hairy leaf. This leaf is usually about 7 to 9 centimeters (about 3 inches) long. It is also about 1.5 to 1.8 centimeters (about 0.7 inches) wide.
The Flowers
The plant produces one or two greenish-yellow flowers. These flowers have red markings. Each flower is about 4 centimeters (1.6 inches) long and 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) wide. They grow on a stalk that stands 15 to 20 centimeters (6 to 8 inches) tall.
The flower parts called sepals have reddish, club-shaped tips. The top sepal stands up straight, then curves forward. The side sepals and petals start flat, then curve downwards. The labellum (a special petal) is yellowish-green with a red tip. It has small, narrow teeth on its sides. The tip of the labellum curls down. There are also four rows of dark red bumps, called calli, along the middle. Judy's spider orchid flowers bloom from August to September.
How Judy's Spider Orchid Got Its Name
The Judy's spider orchid was officially named Caladenia williamsiae in 2001. It was described by two botanists, Stephen Hopper and Andrew Phillip Brown. They found a sample of the plant near Brookton.
Honoring Judy Williams
The name williamsiae was chosen to honor Judy Williams. She was the person who first discovered this unique orchid in the year 2000. Her discovery helped scientists learn about this new species.
Where Judy's Spider Orchid Lives
Judy's spider orchid is only found in one small area. This area is near the town of Brookton in Western Australia. It grows in places with wandoo trees. It also likes to grow in thick shrubland.
Protecting Judy's Spider Orchid
Judy's spider orchid is a very rare plant. The government of Western Australia lists it as "Threatened Flora." This means it is a rare plant that needs protection. The Australian Government also calls it "Endangered."
Main Threats
The biggest danger to Judy's spider orchid is kangaroos. They sometimes eat the plants, which makes it harder for the orchid to survive. Protecting this small population is very important to keep the species from disappearing.
