Kalbarri cowslip orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kalbarri cowslip orchid |
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| C. flava subsp. maculata growing in Depot Hill Reserve near Mingenew | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Genus: | Caladenia |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
C. f. subsp. maculata
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| Trinomial name | |
| Caladenia flava subsp. maculata Hopper & A.P.Br.
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The Kalbarri cowslip orchid (scientific name: Caladenia flava subsp. maculata) is a special type of orchid. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This beautiful orchid has one hairy leaf and usually one to three lemon-yellow flowers. These flowers often have brownish spots. You can mostly find it near the coast, north of Geraldton.
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What the Kalbarri Cowslip Orchid Looks Like
The Kalbarri cowslip orchid is a ground-growing plant. It is a perennial herb, meaning it lives for more than two years. It also loses its leaves each year (deciduous). This orchid grows from a hidden underground tuber, which is like a small storage organ.
Leaves and Stems
Each orchid has one hairy leaf. This leaf is about 5 to 12 centimeters (2 to 5 inches) long. It is also about 1 to 1.2 centimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) wide. The underside of the leaf often has a purple color. The flowers grow on a stalk that is about 10 to 15 centimeters (4 to 6 inches) tall.
Flowers and Petals
The Kalbarri cowslip orchid usually has one to three flowers, but sometimes four. Each flower is about 2 to 4 centimeters (0.8 to 1.6 inches) long and 2 to 3 centimeters (0.8 to 1.2 inches) wide. The main parts of the flower, called the sepals and petals, are bright lemon-yellow.
You might see brownish or red spots on the top sepal and the petals. However, the side sepals usually do not have these spots. The top sepal stands upright and is about 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters (0.6 to 1 inch) long. The side sepals are a bit bigger, about 2 to 4 centimeters (0.8 to 1.6 inches) long. The petals are about 1.2 to 2.4 centimeters (0.5 to 0.9 inches) long.
The Labellum
The labellum is a special lip-like part of the orchid flower. It is about 1 to 1.5 centimeters (0.4 to 0.6 inches) long and 1 to 1.3 centimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) wide. The labellum has three main parts, called lobes. Near its base, there is a raised plate. Along the sides of the labellum, there are 8 to 16 small teeth. In the middle, you will find two rows of small bumps called calli.
When it Flowers
The Kalbarri cowslip orchid blooms from July to early September.
How it is Different from Other Orchids
This specific type of orchid is different from other similar orchids. For example, it has lemon-yellow flowers with fawn-brown or red spots. It also has 8 to 16 teeth on its labellum. You will find it more in the northern areas. Another type, Caladenia flava subsp. sylvestris, has pale yellow sepals and petals that are white at their tips. It also has a line of bright red or pink spots. This type grows more in the southern areas.
How the Kalbarri Cowslip Orchid Got its Name
The scientific name Caladenia flava was first officially described in 1810 by a botanist named Robert Brown. He published his description in a book called Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.
Later, in 2001, two other botanists, Stephen Hopper and Andrew Phillip Brown, described three different types (subspecies) of Caladenia flava. One of these was Caladenia flava subsp. maculata. They shared their findings in a science journal called Nuytsia.
The word maculata comes from Latin and means "spotted." This name was chosen because of the irregular spots on the top sepal and petals of the flower.
Where the Kalbarri Cowslip Orchid Lives
The Kalbarri cowslip orchid grows in many different places. You can find it on granite rocks or in low areas that fill with water during winter. It grows between Perenjori and Nerren Nerren Station, which is near Kalbarri. These areas are part of the Avon Wheatbelt, Geraldton Sandplains, and Yalgoo regions in Western Australia.
Protecting the Kalbarri Cowslip Orchid
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at the Kalbarri cowslip orchid. They have classified it as "not threatened." This means that, for now, there are enough of these orchids, and they are not in danger of disappearing.
