Midget orchids facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Midget orchids |
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| Close up of Drymoanthus adversus flower | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
| Tribe: | Vandeae |
| Subtribe: | Aeridinae |
| Genus: | Drymoanthus Nicholls |
Drymoanthus, also known as midget orchids, is a group of tiny orchids. These special plants grow on other plants or trees, but they don't harm them. They have thick roots, small leaves, and little green flowers that smell nice. Their flowers also have a white part called a labellum. You can find four different types of midget orchids in Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia.
What Midget Orchids Look Like
Drymoanthus orchids are small plants that don't have many branches. They are epiphytes, which means they grow on other plants or trees. They have thick roots and a thin stem. Their leaves are narrow, grow close together, and feel a bit like leather.
The flowers are small and green, and they don't last very long. They have a white part called a labellum. The sepals and petals of the flower look quite similar. However, the petals are a little bit shorter than the sepals. The white labellum is shaped like a small boat and is firmly attached to the flower's column.
How Midget Orchids Got Their Name
The group of plants called Drymoanthus was first officially described in 1943. A botanist named William Henry Nicholls wrote about them. His description was published in a science magazine called The Victorian Naturalist.
There are four types, or species, of Drymoanthus orchids that scientists recognize today:
- Drymoanthus adversus - You can find this one in New Zealand, including Chatham Island.
- Drymoanthus flavus - This species also grows in New Zealand.
- Drymoanthus minimus - This orchid is found in New Caledonia.
- Drymoanthus minutus - This type grows in Queensland, Australia.
