Mona Vale onion orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mona Vale onion orchid |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Microtis (plant)
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| Species: |
angusii
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The Mona Vale onion orchid, also called Angus's onion orchid, is a special type of orchid. It grows only in New South Wales, Australia. This orchid has a single hollow leaf that looks a bit like an onion. It also has many small, green flowers. It is very rare and is only found in one place near Ingleside. Scientists think it might have grown from soil brought in from somewhere else.
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What Does the Mona Vale Onion Orchid Look Like?
The Mona Vale onion orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It is also a deciduous plant, which means some parts die back each year. This orchid has a special underground tuber, which is like a storage root.
A single, smooth, tube-shaped leaf grows straight up from the ground. This leaf can be about 40 to 140 centimeters (16 to 55 inches) long. It is about 5 to 8 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) wide.
The orchid has a tall flowering stem, about 25 to 60 centimeters (10 to 24 inches) high. On this stem, there are 20 to 60 small green flowers. Each flower is about 2.5 to 3 millimeters (0.10 to 0.12 inches) long. They are about 2 to 2.5 millimeters (0.08 to 0.10 inches) wide.
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, is about 2 to 2.5 millimeters long. The side sepals are similar in length but narrower. The petals are about 1 millimeter long and wide. They are held under the top sepal. The special lower petal, called the labellum, is about 1.5 to 2 millimeters long. It has a bumpy edge and a small notch at its tip. These orchids usually flower from May to October.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The Mona Vale onion orchid was first officially described in 1996. A botanist named David Jones gave it the scientific name Microtis angusii. The second part of its name, angusii, honors Reginald James Angus. He was the person who first found this orchid in 1987.
Where Does This Orchid Live?
The Mona Vale onion orchid is only found in one specific place. This place is near Ingleside, where the first orchid was discovered. The area where it grows has been changed by humans. It was once used as a place to dump soil and park work vehicles. It is possible that the orchid seeds grew from the soil that was brought to this site.
Why Is This Orchid in Danger?
The Mona Vale onion orchid is a very rare plant. It is listed as "Endangered" by the New South Wales government. It is also listed as "Endangered" by the Australian Commonwealth Government. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever.
The main threats to this special orchid include:
- Weed invasion: Other plants, called weeds, grow around it and take its space and nutrients.
- Illegal rubbish dumping: People sometimes dump trash in its habitat, which harms the plants.
- Grazing by animals: Animals like rabbits eat the orchids, which stops them from growing.
- Habitat damage: People walking or driving through the area can damage where the orchids live.
