Limestone spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Limestone spider orchid |
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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. b. subsp. bicalliata
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| Trinomial name | |
| Caladenia bicalliata subsp. bicalliata |
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The limestone spider orchid (also called the dwarf limestone spider orchid) is a special plant. It belongs to the orchid family. You can find it growing naturally in the south-west of Western Australia and along the coast of South Australia. This orchid has one tall, hairy leaf. It also has one or two cream-colored flowers. These flowers often have reddish-brown tips.
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About the Limestone Spider Orchid
The limestone spider orchid is a type of plant that grows on land. It lives for many years. This plant has an underground storage part called a tuber. It can grow by itself or in small groups.
Each orchid has one leaf that stands up straight. This leaf is very hairy. It is shaped like a narrow line or a spear. The leaf is about 6–20 cm (2–8 in) long and 2–5 mm (0.08–0.2 in) wide.
The plant grows a flower stalk that is about 10–35 cm (4–10 in) tall. This stalk usually has one or two flowers. Each flower is about 5–7 cm (2–3 in) long and 4 cm (2 in) wide.
Flower Parts
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, is about 2 cm (0.8 in) long. It gets narrow about a third of the way up from its base. The side parts of the flower, called lateral sepals and petals, are cream or greenish-cream. They have reddish-brown tips.
The lateral sepals are less than 2 cm (0.8 in) long. They become very thin like a thread for about half their length. The petals are about the same length. They also slowly become thin like a thread at their tips.
The lip of the flower, called the labellum, is shaped like an egg. It is about 7 mm (0.3 in) long and 5 mm (0.2 in) wide. It is white with red stripes. The edge of the labellum has a jagged, saw-like shape. There are two rows of white-tipped bumps, called calli, along its center.
Flowering Time
These orchids usually bloom from August to early October. However, their flowers often stay open for only one or two days. Sometimes, the flowers even pollinate themselves without opening at all.
How it Got its Name
The limestone spider orchid was first officially described in 1909 by a scientist named Richard Rogers. Later, in 2001, two other scientists, Stephen Hopper and Andrew Brown, described two different types (subspecies) of this orchid. One of these was the subspecies bicalliata. Their description was published in a scientific journal called Nuytsia.
The name bicalliata comes from Latin words. "Bi-" means "two," and "callus" means "a callus" (a hard bump). The "-atus" part means "having." So, bicalliata refers to the two pairs of rows of calli (the bumps) on the flower's lip.
Where it Lives
The limestone spider orchid grows in a narrow strip along the coast. It prefers to grow in soil that contains a lot of calcium carbonate, which is found in limestone.
In Western Australia, you can find it between Kalbarri and Esperance. In South Australia, it grows along the south-east coast. Sometimes, it can be found up to 100 km (60 mi) away from the coast.
Conservation Status
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has classified Caladenia bicalliata subsp. bicalliata as "not threatened." This means that currently, there are enough of these orchids, and they are not considered to be in danger of disappearing.
