Native stream orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Native stream orchid |
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| Illustration by Lewis Roberts | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
| Genus: | Podochilus |
| Species: |
P. australiensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Podochilus australiensis (F.M.Bailey) Schltr.
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| Synonyms | |
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The Native Stream Orchid (Podochilus australiensis) is a cool type of orchid that often grows on other plants or rocks. It looks a bit like a fern with its many thin, shiny green leaves. When it blooms, it has small, dull white or greenish flowers. You can find this special orchid growing in the warm, wet areas of Far North Queensland in Australia.
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What Does the Native Stream Orchid Look Like?
The Native Stream Orchid is a plant that can grow on trees (called an epiphyte) or on rocks (called a lithophyte). It has stems that are usually between 20 and 60 centimeters (about 8 to 24 inches) long. These stems are slightly flat.
This orchid has many thin, glossy, dark green leaves. Each leaf is about 3 to 4.5 centimeters (about 1 to 1.8 inches) long and 1 to 1.5 centimeters (about 0.4 to 0.6 inches) wide. All these leaves make the plant look like a fern.
The Native Stream Orchid produces small flowers, usually between two and six of them. They are dull white or greenish-cream in color and are about 3.5 millimeters (about 0.14 inches) long and wide. The sepals and petals of the flower spread out. The top sepal is about 2.5 millimeters long. The side sepals are a bit wider. The petals are shorter and narrower than the sepals.
The most interesting part is the labellum, which is a special lip-like petal. It is green and about 2 millimeters long and 1 millimeter wide. It has a deep spur, which is like a small pouch, at its base. These orchids usually flower from March to June.
How Did This Orchid Get Its Name?
The Native Stream Orchid was first officially described in 1886. A scientist named Frederick Manson Bailey gave it the name Eria australiensis. He wrote about it in a publication called Occasional Papers on the Queensland Flora.
Later, in 1907, another scientist named Rudolf Schlechter changed its name to Podochilus australiensis. The second part of its name, australiensis, tells us where it comes from. It means "from Australia." The ending -ensis is a Latin suffix that means "from a place" or "country."
Where Does This Orchid Live?
You can find the Native Stream Orchid growing in humid forests. It often lives on tree branches that hang over streams. It also likes to grow on rotting logs or large rocks. This orchid is found in Queensland, Australia, specifically between the McIlwraith Range and the Tully River.
How to Grow a Native Stream Orchid
If you want to grow a Native Stream Orchid, it's generally easy to care for. However, it needs water all year round. It also requires high humidity and warmth. The temperature should not drop below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit). You can grow this orchid by attaching it to a slab of wood or bark. You can also plant it in a small pot using a coarse soil mix.
