Grey shield orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grey shield orchid |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Nervilia
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| Species: |
peltata
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The grey shield orchid (scientific name: Nervilia peltata) is a small, special type of orchid. You can find it growing on the ground in northern Australia. This orchid has pretty pale green flowers that don't last very long. After the flowers are gone, a round, shield-shaped leaf grows from the bottom of the plant.
What the Grey Shield Orchid Looks Like
The grey shield orchid is a plant that grows on land. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It's also deciduous, so its leaves fall off at certain times. This orchid grows in groups, like small plant communities.
Only a few plants in a group will bloom each year. A single pale green flower grows on a straight, soft stem. This stem can be about 10 to 20 centimeters (4 to 8 inches) tall. The flower itself is about 2 to 2.8 centimeters (0.8 to 1.1 inches) wide and long.
The flower has parts called sepals and petals. The sepals are about 1.8 to 2.3 centimeters (0.7 to 0.9 inches) long. The petals are a bit shorter and narrower. The flower also has a white part called a labellum. This labellum has a wide, frilly edge and small bumps.
The flower only lasts for about one day. After the flower fades, a single leaf starts to grow. This happens even on plants that didn't flower. The leaf is a pale grey-green color and is mostly round. It has a stem in the middle and its edges are not perfectly smooth. The leaf is about 2 to 4.5 centimeters (0.8 to 1.8 inches) across. You can see these orchids flowering between December and February.
How the Grey Shield Orchid Got Its Name
The grey shield orchid, Nervilia peltata, was officially described in 1994. Two botanists, Bruce Gray and David Jones, gave it its scientific name. They published their description in a science journal called Austrobaileya.
The second part of its scientific name, peltata, comes from a Latin word. It means "shield-shaped" or "armed with a shield". This name fits well because the orchid's leaf looks like a small shield!
Where the Grey Shield Orchid Lives
You can find the grey shield orchid in northern Australia. It grows on the Cape York Peninsula, reaching as far south as Hinchinbrook Island. It also lives on some islands in the Torres Strait. You can also find it in the northern part of the Northern Territory.
These orchids usually live in forests or woodlands. They often grow among grasses in large, open groups.
