Nodding helmet orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nodding helmet orchid |
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The nodding helmet orchid (scientific name: Corybas abellianus) is a special kind of orchid. It grows only in tropical north Queensland, Australia. This small plant often grows in groups. It has a single heart-shaped leaf that is dark green on top and silvery-white underneath. Its flower is reddish-purple and nods downwards, looking a bit like a helmet.
What the Nodding Helmet Orchid Looks Like
The nodding helmet orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It also loses its leaves at certain times of the year.
Each plant has one heart-shaped leaf. This leaf is about 10 to 20 millimeters (0.4 to 0.8 inches) long. It is also about 5 to 10 millimeters (0.2 to 0.4 inches) wide. The top of the leaf is dark green with silvery-white lines. The underside of the leaf is reddish.
The flower of this orchid is reddish-purple. It is about 8 to 10 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long. It is also about 5 to 6 millimeters (0.2 inches) wide. The flower usually points downwards.
The biggest part of the flower is called the dorsal sepal. This part is about 12 to 15 millimeters (0.5 to 0.6 inches) long. It is also about 6 to 8 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) wide. The other parts, called lateral sepals, are small and triangular. They are only about 1 millimeter (0.04 inches) long. The petals are even smaller.
The flower also has a part called the labellum. This part is shorter than the dorsal sepal. It feels smooth and has a whitish tip. These orchids usually bloom from February to May.
How Scientists Name the Nodding Helmet Orchid
The scientific name for the nodding helmet orchid is Corybas abellianus. This name was first officially given in 1955. A scientist named Alick Dockrill described the plant. His description was published in a science magazine called The North Queensland Naturalist. Giving plants scientific names helps scientists around the world know exactly which plant they are talking about.
Where the Nodding Helmet Orchid Grows
The nodding helmet orchid grows in small groups. You can find it in rainforests. It prefers the higher areas of the Atherton Tableland. It also grows as far south as Tully Falls, which is near a town called Ravenshoe. These places are all in tropical north Queensland, Australia.
