Rockpile fairy orchid facts for kids

The rockpile fairy orchid (Oberonia carnosa) is a special kind of orchid. It belongs to the family of orchids. This plant grows in clumps, meaning many stems grow close together. It is an epiphyte, which means it often grows on other plants, not in the soil.

This orchid usually has four to six leaves. These leaves are arranged like a fan. It also has many tiny flowers. These flowers are orange to orange-brown. They grow in circles, called whorls, around the flowering stem.

What the Rockpile Fairy Orchid Looks Like

The rockpile fairy orchid is a plant that can grow on other plants (epiphytic). It can also grow on rocks (a lithophyte). It has four to six leaves that are light green and feel a bit thick or "fleshy." These leaves are about 15 to 25 millimeters (about 0.6 to 1 inch) long. They are also about 5 to 8 millimeters (about 0.2 to 0.3 inches) wide. The leaves are curved, and their bases overlap each other.

Many small flowers grow on a stem that can arch or hang down. This stem is about 30 to 60 millimeters (about 1.2 to 2.4 inches) long. Each flower is tiny, only about 1.7 millimeters (about 0.07 inches) long. They are about 1.0 millimeter (about 0.04 inches) wide. The flowers are orange to orange-brown. Near the bottom of the flowering stem, there are small, circular bracts.

The flower parts, called sepals and petals, are shaped like eggs. They spread out wide. The petals have small teeth along their edges. The sepals curve backward. The labellum is a special lip-like part of the flower. It is about 1 millimeter (about 0.04 inches) long. It is also about 0.6 millimeters (about 0.02 inches) wide. It has three small, hard-to-see sections. These sections often have tiny teeth at their tips. This orchid usually blooms between February and June.

How the Rockpile Fairy Orchid Got Its Name

The rockpile fairy orchid, Oberonia carnosa, was first officially described in 1977. A scientist named Bill Lavarack described it. He wrote about it in a science journal called Austrobaileya. He found the first plant specimen at a place called Tozer's Gap. This area is on the Cape York Peninsula.

The second part of its scientific name, carnosa, comes from Latin. In Latin, "carnosa" means "fleshy." This name was chosen because the orchid's leaves are thick and fleshy.

Where the Rockpile Fairy Orchid Lives

The rockpile fairy orchid grows in specific places. It likes to live on trees in areas with thin forests or "sparse scrub." These places are often humid, meaning they have a lot of moisture in the air. It also grows on trees and large rocks in an area called "The Rockpiles." This area is known for its many big boulders.

You can find this orchid between the Iron Range and the McIlwraith Range in Australia.