Large pink fingers facts for kids

Caladenia quadrifaria, also known as the large pink fingers orchid, is a beautiful plant found only in New South Wales, Australia. It belongs to the amazing orchid family, which is known for its unique and often colorful flowers. This ground orchid has a single, slightly hairy leaf and can grow up to three lovely pale to bright pink flowers.

What the Large Pink Fingers Orchid Looks Like

The large pink fingers orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, so it sheds its leaves at certain times. This plant is a herb, which means it has soft stems instead of woody ones.

It grows from an underground tuber, which is like a small storage organ. From this tuber, a single, slightly hairy leaf appears. This leaf is long and thin, measuring about 70–150 mm (3–6 in) in length and 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide.

The orchid produces up to three flowers on a stem that stands 100–200 mm (4–8 in) tall. These flowers can be pale pink or bright pink. The back of the flowers often has a greenish or brownish pink color. They are covered in tiny glandular hairs.

Flower Parts

The flowers have several parts that make them unique. The top petal, called the dorsal sepal, is about 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. The two side petals, known as lateral sepals, are also 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long but a bit wider at 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in).

The main petals are 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long and 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) wide. They spread out like a fan, along with the lateral sepals. The most interesting part is the labellum. This is a special lip-like petal that helps attract pollinators.

The labellum is about 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and wide. It is pink with reddish stripes. The sides of the labellum curve upwards, and its tip is curled underneath. It has four to eight long teeth along each side near the tip. There are also four to six rows of large, club-shaped bumps called calli down the middle.

This orchid usually blooms between August and November.

How the Large Pink Fingers Orchid Got Its Name

The Caladenia quadrifaria was officially named in 1991. This was done by a botanist named David Jones. He published its description in a scientific paper called Australian Orchid Research.

Before 1991, this orchid was known as a type of Caladenia carnea. Another botanist, Richard Rogers, had identified it but hadn't given it its own full description.

In 1999, David Jones also described another orchid, Caladenia porphyrea. However, the National Herbarium of New South Wales does not currently recognize it as a separate species. A herbarium is like a library for dried plant specimens.

Where the Large Pink Fingers Orchid Lives

The large pink fingers orchid is found along the coast of New South Wales. You can find it in areas between Brunswick Heads and Lake Tabourie. It likes to grow in forests, especially on slopes and ridges.