Little dip spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little dip spider orchid |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
richardsiorum
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| Synonyms | |
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The little dip spider orchid (Caladenia richardsiorum) is a special type of plant. It's also known as Richards' spider orchid or robe spider orchid. This plant belongs to the amazing orchid family.
This orchid is found only in South Australia, which means it is endemic there. It grows in the ground and has one tall, hairy leaf. Usually, it produces just one yellowish-green flower.
The little dip spider orchid looks a bit like the Mellblom's spider orchid (Caladenia hastata). However, the little dip spider orchid has a much bigger leaf. Also, its petals do not have special tips that look like glands.
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What the Little Dip Spider Orchid Looks Like
The little dip spider orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber (like a small potato). It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It's also deciduous, so it loses its leaves at certain times.
Each plant has one upright, hairy leaf. This leaf is about 160 to 220 millimeters (6 to 9 inches) long. It is also about 13 to 15 millimeters (0.5 to 0.6 inches) wide. You might see reddish-purple spots near the bottom of the leaf.
Usually, only one yellowish-green flower grows on a stem. This flower is about 40 millimeters (1.6 inches) across. The flower stem can be 200 to 400 millimeters (8 to 16 inches) tall.
Flower Parts
The flower has parts called sepals and petals. The sepals have blackish, club-like tips that are 8 to 10 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long. The top sepal stands straight up. It is 33 to 40 millimeters (1.3 to 1.6 inches) long.
The two side sepals are 35 to 42 millimeters (1.4 to 1.7 inches) long. They spread out and curve downwards. The petals are 23 to 27 millimeters (0.9 to 1.1 inches) long and also curve downwards.
The labellum is a special lip-like part of the orchid. It is 12 to 15 millimeters (0.5 to 0.6 inches) long and 10 to 12 millimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) wide. It is a greenish-cream color. The sides of the labellum turn upwards. They have dark red, thin teeth up to 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) long. The very tip of the labellum curves downwards.
There are six rows of reddish bumps called calli along the middle of the labellum. These calli have cream-colored tips. This orchid blooms from late September to early November.
How it Got its Name
The little dip spider orchid was officially described in 1991. A botanist named David Jones gave it its formal scientific name, Caladenia richardsiorum.
The name richardsiorum was chosen to honor Helen and Barry Richards. They helped David Jones a lot with his work.
Where the Little Dip Spider Orchid Lives
This special orchid grows in coastal areas of South Australia. You can find it mainly between Southend and the Coorong. It likes to grow in areas with low, shrubby plants (called heath) and in woodlands.
Protecting This Orchid
The little dip spider orchid is considered "endangered." This means it is at a high risk of disappearing forever. Both the Australian Government and the South Australian Government have laws to protect it.
The main dangers to this orchid include:
- Land clearance: When its natural home is cleared for other uses.
- Weed invasion: When other plants (weeds) grow and take over its space.
- Grazing by rabbits: Rabbits eating the orchid plants.
