Pale goat orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pale goat orchid |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Diuris
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| Species: |
ochroma
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The Diuris ochroma, also known as the pale goat orchid or pale golden moths, is a special type of orchid. It grows only in south-eastern Australia. This orchid has three or four leaves at its base. It also has up to four pale yellow flowers with dark reddish-purple stripes. These flowers hang down slightly. The pale goat orchid is not very common. It grows in two separate areas in the higher parts of New South Wales and Victoria.
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What Does the Pale Goat Orchid Look Like?
The pale goat orchid is a plant that grows from a tuber (a swollen underground stem, like a potato). It lives for many years. This plant has three to four long, thin leaves. They are about 18 to 30 centimetres (7 to 12 inches) long and 3 to 5 millimetres (0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide.
Up to four flowers grow on a stem that is about 25 to 40 centimetres (10 to 16 inches) tall. These flowers are pale yellow with dark reddish-purple stripes. They are about 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) wide and hang down a little.
Flower Parts Explained
- The dorsal sepal is a leaf-like part at the top of the flower. It points forward and is shaped like an egg. It is about 10 to 13 millimetres (0.4 to 0.5 inches) long.
- The lateral sepals are two other leaf-like parts. They are narrow at the bottom and about 14 to 19 millimetres (0.6 to 0.7 inches) long. They point downwards and are mostly parallel to each other.
- The petals are the main colourful parts of the flower. They are egg-shaped, about 7 to 9 millimetres (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long. They spread out from each other.
- The labellum is a special lip-like petal. It is about 13 to 16 millimetres (0.5 to 0.6 inches) long and has three parts called lobes. The middle lobe is wide and has a raised line down its centre. The side lobes are smaller and have dark reddish-purple stripes.
- There are also two to four raised lines, called callus ridges, on the lower part of the labellum.
This orchid usually blooms in November and December.
How It Got Its Name
The pale goat orchid was first officially described in 1994. A botanist named David Jones found a sample near the Wonnangatta River. He wrote about it in a science journal called Muelleria.
Jones gave it the scientific name ochroma. This word comes from the Greek word ochroma, which means "pale" or "wan". He chose this name because of the pale yellow colour of the flowers.
Where the Pale Goat Orchid Lives
The pale goat orchid grows in two separate areas. One area is in New South Wales and the other is in Victoria.
In New South Wales, about 130 plants were counted in 2008. They live on the Monaro Tableland.
In Victoria, there are two groups of these orchids. In 2010, about eight thousand plants were found in total. They grow in the Alpine National Park and next to a road near Abbeyard.
Protecting the Pale Goat Orchid
The pale goat orchid is a special plant that needs our help. It is considered "vulnerable" by the Australian Government. This means it could become endangered if we don't protect it. It is also listed as "endangered" in New South Wales and "threatened" in Victoria.
Main Dangers to the Orchid
Several things threaten the survival of the pale goat orchid:
- Weed invasion: Weeds can grow around the orchids and take their space and nutrients.
- Grazing animals: Animals like kangaroos, wild animals, and farm animals can eat the orchids.
- Habitat loss: The places where the orchids grow can be destroyed by building or other human activities.
- Disturbance: Any changes to their natural environment can harm them.
- Fire: Fires that happen too often or at the wrong time can damage the plants.
By understanding these threats, we can work to protect this unique Australian orchid.
