Lemon spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lemon spider orchid |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
luteola
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The Caladenia luteola, also known as the lemon spider orchid, is a special type of orchid. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This unique plant has a single, fuzzy leaf and can grow up to three bright lemon-yellow flowers. These flowers often have cool red stripes on their "lip" part, called the labellum.
Sadly, the lemon spider orchid is very rare. It is only found in two small areas near a town called Woodanilling.
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What the Lemon Spider Orchid Looks Like
The Caladenia luteola is a plant that grows from the ground, not on trees. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It's also a deciduous herb, which means its leaves die back each year, but it grows back from an underground tuber (like a small potato).
Each orchid has one straight, hairy leaf. This leaf is usually about 8 to 12 centimeters (3 to 5 inches) long and 3 to 5 millimeters (about 0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide.
The orchid can have up to three lemon-yellow flowers. Each flower is quite large, about 6 to 10 centimeters (2.4 to 3.9 inches) long and 6 to 9 centimeters (2.4 to 3.5 inches) wide. These flowers grow on a stem that is about 15 to 25 centimeters (5.9 to 9.8 inches) tall.
Flower Parts
The flower's sepals and petals have long, thin, brown tips that look like threads.
- The top sepal, called the dorsal sepal, stands upright. It is about 4.5 to 7 centimeters (1.8 to 2.8 inches) long.
- The two side sepals, called lateral sepals, spread out at their base and then hang down. They are about 4.5 to 7.5 centimeters (1.8 to 3 inches) long.
- The petals are similar in size, about 4.5 to 6.5 centimeters (1.8 to 2.6 inches) long. They also spread slightly upwards before drooping.
The most interesting part is the labellum, which is the orchid's special lip. It is about 1 to 2 centimeters (0.4 to 0.8 inches) long and 0.8 to 1.1 centimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) wide. The labellum is usually cream-colored or yellow with red or brownish stripes. Its tip is curled underneath. The sides of the labellum have uneven, jagged edges. In the middle, there are two rows of shiny, cream-colored bumps called calli. These calli are shaped like small anvils.
This orchid usually blooms from September to mid-October.
How It Got Its Name
The Caladenia luteola was first officially described in 2001. Two scientists, Stephen Hopper and Andrew Phillip Brown, found a specimen (a sample) of the orchid near Woodanilling. They published their description in a scientific journal called Nuytsia.
The second part of its scientific name, luteola, comes from a Latin word. It means "yellowish," which is a perfect description for the bright, lemon-yellow color of its flowers!
Where the Lemon Spider Orchid Lives
The lemon spider orchid grows in a specific area between Woodanilling and Katanning in Western Australia. This area is known as the Avon Wheatbelt biogeographic region. It prefers to grow on low, sandy hills, often close to salt lakes and creeks that only flow sometimes.
Protecting This Rare Orchid
The Caladenia luteola is classified as "Threatened Flora" by the Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife. This means it is a very rare plant and could even become extinct if it's not protected. Because it's so rare, it needs special care and protection to help it survive and thrive in the wild.
