Lofty Ranges helmet orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lofty Ranges helmet orchid |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
The Lofty Ranges helmet orchid (its scientific name is Corybas dentatus) is a special kind of orchid that grows only in South Australia. It's called "terrestrial" because it grows in the ground, not on other plants. This orchid has a roundish leaf and one beautiful flower that is purplish and green. It's quite rare, found in only two places, and is listed as "vulnerable," meaning it needs protection.
What Does It Look Like?
The Lofty Ranges helmet orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. 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.
Each orchid has a single leaf that can be shaped like a wide egg, a heart, or almost perfectly round. This leaf is about 25–45 mm (1–2 in) long and 30–42 mm (1–2 in) wide. The top of the leaf is green, and the underside is a cool silvery-green.
A single purplish and green flower grows on a short stem. This flower is about 18–25 mm (0.7–1 in) long and 12–13 mm (0.47–0.51 in) wide. The biggest part of the flower is called the dorsal sepal. It's like a hood that covers the rest of the flower. This sepal is pinkish-grey with dark purple marks and is about 20–22 mm (0.79–0.87 in) long and 9–11 mm (0.35–0.43 in) wide.
The other parts of the flower include:
- The lateral sepals: These are whitish and thin, about 5 mm (0.2 in) long, and they spread out wide.
- The petals: These are small, about 3 mm (0.12 in) long, and curve slightly.
- The labellum: This part is dark purple and shaped like a tube at its base. It then flattens out into a broad, egg-shaped part about 12–13 mm (0.47–0.51 in) long and wide. This flat part has small teeth along its edges.
These orchids usually bloom in July and August.
How It Got Its Name
The Lofty Ranges helmet orchid was officially described in 1991 by a botanist named David Jones. He found a sample of the plant in the Sandy Creek Conservation Park.
The scientific name, Corybas dentatus, has a special meaning. The word dentatus comes from Latin and means "toothed" or "pointed." This refers to the noticeable teeth found on the edges of the labellum, which is a key part of the flower.
In 2002, David Jones and another botanist, Mark Clements, suggested changing the orchid's scientific group. However, this idea hasn't been widely accepted by other scientists.
Where It Lives
The Lofty Ranges helmet orchid prefers to grow in open forests and woodlands. These areas usually have low shrubs and ferns growing around them.
Currently, this orchid is only known to exist in two main places. The largest group of these orchids is found in the Sandy Creek Conservation Park.
Why It Needs Protection
The Lofty Ranges helmet orchid is considered "vulnerable" by the Australian Government. This means it's at risk of disappearing if we don't protect it. This classification is under a law called the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Some of the biggest dangers to this special orchid include:
- Road and track maintenance: When roads and paths are worked on, it can disturb the orchid's habitat.
- Weed invasion: Other plants, called weeds, can grow quickly and take over the areas where the orchids live.
- Herbicide spraying: Chemicals used to kill weeds can also harm the orchids.
- population fragmentation: This means the orchid groups are becoming separated into smaller, isolated patches, which makes it harder for them to survive and reproduce.
Protecting these areas and being careful with human activities can help save the Lofty Ranges helmet orchid for the future.
