Paterson's spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Paterson's spider orchid |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
patersonii
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The Caladenia patersonii, also known as Paterson's spider orchid, is a special plant from the orchid family. It grows naturally in Victoria and Tasmania, Australia. This orchid grows in the ground and has one fuzzy leaf. It produces one or two beautiful flowers that can be creamy-white, yellowish, or pink.
Contents
About Paterson's Spider Orchid
Paterson's spider orchid is a plant that lives for many years. It grows from an underground storage part called a tuber. This plant has one leaf that is very hairy. The leaf is usually about 8 to 15 centimetres (3 to 6 inches) long and 1 to 1.5 centimetres (0.4 to 0.6 inches) wide. Sometimes, the leaf has red or purple spots near its base.
The orchid's flowers grow on a tall stem, about 25 to 35 centimetres (10 to 14 inches) high. Each stem usually has one or two flowers. These flowers are creamy-white, yellowish, or pink, and often have thin dark red lines.
Flower Parts
The parts of the flower, called sepals and petals, have tips that look like threads. These tips are covered in tiny glands and are usually brown or reddish-brown.
- The dorsal sepal (the one at the top) stands straight up. It is about 6 to 8 centimetres (2 to 3 inches) long.
- The lateral sepals (the two on the sides) spread out wide and point downwards. They are also about 6 to 8 centimetres long.
- The petals are similar to the lateral sepals, about 4 to 6 centimetres (1.6 to 2.4 inches) long.
The most interesting part is the labellum, which is the orchid's special lip. It is about 1.2 to 2 centimetres (0.5 to 0.8 inches) long and 0.7 to 1.1 centimetres (0.3 to 0.4 inches) wide. The labellum is white or cream-coloured, often with a dark red tip that curls under. Its sides have many reddish teeth, up to 2 millimetres (0.08 inches) long. In the middle of the labellum, there are four to six rows of reddish bumps called calli.
Flowering and Growth
Paterson's spider orchid usually blooms from September to November. It tends to produce more flowers after a bushfire.
Discovery and Name
The Paterson's spider orchid was first officially described in 1810. A famous botanist named Robert Brown wrote about it in his book, Prodromus florae Novae Hollandiae.
Where it Lives
This orchid is found mainly in the eastern coastal areas of Victoria and in northern Tasmania. It likes to grow in open areas with low shrubs, known as heath, and in woodlands where heath plants are also present.
Protecting the Orchid
In Tasmania, Caladenia patersonii is considered a "vulnerable" species. This means it is at risk of disappearing if we don't protect it. It is listed under the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 in Tasmania.
