Brown beaks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brown beaks |
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| Lyperanthus suaveolens growing in Boonoo Boonoo National Park | |
| Scientific classification |
The Brown Beaks (scientific name: Lyperanthus suaveolens) is a special type of orchid flower. You can only find it growing naturally in the eastern parts of Australia. This means it's endemic there, like a plant that calls only one place home!
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What Does the Brown Beaks Orchid Look Like?
The Brown Beaks orchid is a plant that grows from a tuber (a swollen underground stem, like a potato). It's a perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years.
This orchid can grow to be about 18 to 44 centimeters (7 to 17 inches) tall. It usually has 2 to 8 flowers that are yellowish-brown, brown, or dark reddish-brown. Each flower is about 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) wide.
When Do Brown Beaks Bloom?
You can see these unique flowers blooming from August to November. Sometimes, on warm days, the flowers even have a sweet smell!
The Leaf of the Orchid
Each Brown Beaks orchid has a single leaf. This leaf is long and narrow, like a spear, measuring about 12 to 26 centimeters (4.7 to 10 inches) long. It can be up to 1.2 centimeters (0.5 inches) wide. The leaf feels leathery, with a darker color on top and a lighter color underneath.
How Did the Brown Beaks Get Its Name?
The Brown Beaks orchid was first officially described in 1810 by a famous botanist named Robert Brown. He wrote about it in his book, Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.
Meaning of the Scientific Name
The scientific name, suaveolens, comes from a Latin word. It means "sweet-smelling," which is a perfect fit for an orchid that can sometimes smell lovely!
Where Do Brown Beaks Grow?
You can find the Brown Beaks orchid living in woodland areas across several eastern Australian states. These include Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania.
Can You Grow Brown Beaks at Home?
Growing Australian ground orchids like the Brown Beaks can be a bit tricky. They are not very well known for being grown in gardens. However, some people have had success growing them in a special outdoor area called a shadehouse. This helps protect the plants from too much sun.
