Large bird orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Large bird orchid |
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The Large Bird Orchid, also known as the Common Bird Orchid, is a special type of orchid that grows only in south-eastern Australia. It gets its name because its flower can look a bit like a bird's head! This plant has two dark green leaves and usually a single flower. The flower can be greenish-purple or purplish-brown. It has unique black, column-like bumps called calli on its lip, which is a special part of the orchid flower.
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What Does the Large Bird Orchid Look Like?
The Large Bird Orchid is a plant that grows from the ground, not on trees. It's a perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years. It's also deciduous, so its leaves fall off at certain times of the year.
This orchid has two dark green leaves that are shaped like wide ovals. They are about 5 to 10 centimeters (2 to 4 inches) long and 2 to 4 centimeters (0.8 to 1.6 inches) wide.
The Flower's Special Features
The Large Bird Orchid usually has one flower on a stem that stands about 4 to 7 centimeters (1.6 to 2.8 inches) tall. The flower itself is about 2 to 3 centimeters (0.8 to 1.2 inches) long and 3 to 3.5 centimeters (1.2 to 1.4 inches) wide. It can be greenish-purple or purplish-brown.
Let's look at the parts of the flower:
- The dorsal sepal (the top part) is shaped like a spatula or an egg. It's about 1.9 to 3 centimeters (0.7 to 1.2 inches) long. It has a small, sticky tip.
- The lateral sepals (the side parts) are thin and pointy. They are about 1.7 to 2.5 centimeters (0.7 to 1 inch) long and curve downwards. They also have a tiny sticky tip.
- The petals are egg-shaped and spread out, curving upwards. They are about 1.7 to 2.3 centimeters (0.7 to 0.9 inches) long.
- The labellum (the lip of the orchid) is broadly heart-shaped. It's about 1.4 to 1.85 centimeters (0.6 to 0.7 inches) long. This is where you'll find the special black, column-like calli (bumps). There's one large callus up to 4 millimeters (0.16 inches) long, surrounded by one to four pairs of smaller ones.
- The column (the central part of the orchid flower) is greenish-brown with darker marks. It's about 1.3 to 1.7 centimeters (0.5 to 0.7 inches) long and has wide "wings."
You can usually see these beautiful orchids flowering from October to February.
How the Large Bird Orchid Got Its Name
The Large Bird Orchid, scientifically known as Chiloglottis valida, was officially described in 1991. A botanist named David Jones first wrote about it after finding a sample in Namadgi National Park.
The second part of its scientific name, valida, comes from a Latin word that means "strong" or "powerful." This name was chosen because this orchid is the largest species in its group, or genus, called Chiloglottis.
Where Does the Large Bird Orchid Grow?
The Large Bird Orchid is quite common and can be found in many different places across south-eastern Australia. It grows in areas from the coast all the way up to subalpine regions (high mountain areas just below where trees stop growing).
It is most common in Victoria, where it grows almost everywhere except the far west. In New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, you can find it south of the Brindabella Range. It also grows on King Island in Tasmania.
