Cratered fairy orchid facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cratered fairy orchid
Oberonia crateriformis flowers
Scientific classification
Genus:	Oberonia
Species:	crateriformis

The cratered fairy orchid (Oberonia crateriformis) is a tiny and interesting plant. It's a type of orchid, which is a large family of flowering plants. This orchid often grows in clumps, either on other plants (called an epiphyte) or on rocks (called a lithophyte). It gets its name from a special part of its flower that looks like a small crater or bowl. You can only find this unique orchid in Queensland, Australia.

What Does the Cratered Fairy Orchid Look Like?

The cratered fairy orchid is a small plant that grows in clumps. It can live on trees or rocks. Each plant shoot has about four to six leaves. These leaves are green to reddish, shaped like a sword, and about 5 to 8 centimeters (2 to 3 inches) long. They are also about 4 to 6 millimeters (0.16 to 0.24 inches) wide. The bases of the leaves overlap, making them look like a fan.

The plant's overall look (cultivated specimen)

This orchid has many tiny, pale red flowers. They are about 1.7 millimeters (0.07 inches) long and 1.5 millimeters (0.06 inches) wide. These flowers grow in groups of eight, arranged in circles (called whorls) around a long, arching stem. This stem can be 5 to 15 centimeters (2 to 6 inches) long.

The flowers have small parts called sepals and petals, which are like tiny leaves that protect the flower. They are about 0.7 millimeters (0.03 inches) long and spread out. The sepals bend back towards the flower's base. The orchid also has a special lip-like petal called a labellum. This labellum is about 0.9 millimeters (0.04 inches) long and has three parts, or lobes. The middle lobe has a small, bowl-shaped pit, which is why it's called the "cratered" fairy orchid. These orchids usually bloom between February and June.

How Was the Cratered Fairy Orchid Named?

The cratered fairy orchid was officially described in 2006. Two botanists, David Jones and Mark Clements, gave it its scientific name, Oberonia crateriformis. They published their description in a scientific journal called Australian Orchid Research.

The very first plant used to describe this species was grown at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. It came from a plant found near Eungella National Park in Queensland. The second part of its scientific name, crateriformis, means "crater-shaped." This refers to the unique bowl-shaped pit found on the orchid's labellum.

Where Does the Cratered Fairy Orchid Live?

The cratered fairy orchid grows on trees and rocks. It prefers to live in rainforests and other damp, sheltered places. This orchid is quite common and can be found in Queensland, Australia. It grows in the area between Eungella and Mount Misery.