Koppio spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Koppio spider orchid |
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| Caladenia septuosa growing near Darke Peak | |
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Caladenia
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septuosa
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The Koppio spider orchid, also known as Caladenia septuosa, is a special type of plant. It belongs to the orchid family, which is called Orchidaceae. This orchid grows only in South Australia, meaning it is endemic to that area.
It is a ground orchid, which means it grows from the soil. It has one tall, slightly hairy leaf. Usually, it grows just one greenish-cream flower. This flower has pretty red stripes on its sepals and petals.
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What Does the Koppio Spider Orchid Look Like?
The Koppio spider orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber, which is like a special storage part. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for many years. It is also deciduous, so its leaves fall off during certain seasons.
Its single leaf is about 6 to 8 centimeters (2.4 to 3.1 inches) long. It is also about 7 to 9 millimeters (0.28 to 0.35 inches) wide and has a dull green color.
The Flower's Features
Usually, only one greenish-cream flower grows on a stem. This stem is about 15 to 20 centimeters (5.9 to 7.9 inches) tall. The flower itself is about 2.5 to 3.5 centimeters (1.0 to 1.4 inches) across.
The flower has parts called sepals and petals. The sepals, but not the petals, have brown, club-shaped tips. These tips are about 5 to 7 millimeters (0.20 to 0.28 inches) long.
- The top sepal is about 2.5 to 4 centimeters (1.0 to 1.6 inches) long. It curves forward over the flower.
- The side sepals are also about 2.5 to 4 centimeters long. They spread out and curve downwards.
- The petals are about 2 to 2.5 centimeters (0.79 to 0.98 inches) long. They are arranged like the side sepals.
The Labellum (Lip)
The labellum is a special part of the orchid flower, often called the 'lip'. For the Koppio spider orchid, the labellum is about 1.4 to 1.6 centimeters (0.55 to 0.63 inches) long and wide. It is green and white with a dark red tip.
The sides of the labellum curve upwards. They have three or four pairs of thin green 'teeth' that are up to 3 millimeters (0.12 inches) long. The tip of the labellum curves downwards. There are also four to six rows of dark red bumps, called calli, along the middle of the labellum. These calli are up to 1.5 millimeters (0.059 inches) long.
The Koppio spider orchid usually blooms, or flowers, from September to October.
How the Koppio Spider Orchid Got Its Name
The scientific name Caladenia septuosa was first officially described in 1991. It was named by a botanist named David Jones. His description was published in a scientific paper called Australian Orchid Research.
The second part of its scientific name, septuosa, comes from a Latin word. This Latin word means "obscure" or "hidden". It refers to the small side parts on the labellum (the orchid's lip) that are not very obvious.
Where the Koppio Spider Orchid Lives
The Koppio spider orchid is found only in the Eyre Peninsula region of South Australia. It grows in woodland areas there. Being "endemic" means it naturally lives only in this specific place and nowhere else in the world.
Protecting the Koppio Spider Orchid
Good news! The Koppio spider orchid is quite common in its local area. It is also protected in special nature reserves. This helps make sure that this unique plant continues to grow and thrive for many years to come.
Images for kids
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Caladenia septuosa growing near Darke Peak
