Small tangle orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Small tangle orchid |
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| Plectorrhiza brevilabris on Cape York Peninsula | |
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Plectorrhiza
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| Species: |
brevilabris
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The small tangle orchid, also known as Plectorrhiza brevilabris, is a special type of orchid found only in Australia. It's called a "tangle orchid" because it has many thick, tangled roots. This orchid can grow on other plants, like trees and shrubs (this is called being epiphytic). It can also grow on rocks (this is called being lithophytic).
This unique plant has bright green leaves and pretty, star-shaped flowers. These flowers are green with reddish-brown spots. They also have a white patch on their "lip," which is a special part of the flower. You can find the small tangle orchid growing in rainforests along the coast of eastern Queensland.
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What Does the Small Tangle Orchid Look Like?
The small tangle orchid is a plant that grows either on other plants or on rocks. It has a single main stem that can be anywhere from about 4 to 20 inches (10 to 50 cm) long. Near the bottom of the stem, you'll see many thick, tangled roots.
Leaves of the Orchid
This orchid usually has between three and nine dark green leaves. These leaves are tough and feel a bit like leather. They are shaped like a narrow egg or oval and are about 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) long. Each leaf is about 0.4 to 0.6 inches (1 to 1.5 cm) wide.
Flowers of the Small Tangle Orchid
The small tangle orchid produces between three and twenty green flowers. These flowers have reddish-brown marks and are about 0.5 to 0.6 inches (1.2 to 1.5 cm) long. They grow on a stem that arches outwards, which can be 2 to 7 inches (6 to 18 cm) long.
The flower's parts, called sepals and petals, spread out widely. The top sepal is about 0.1 to 0.2 inches (3 to 4 mm) long. The side sepals are a bit longer, about 0.2 to 0.3 inches (5 to 7 mm) long. The petals are about 0.1 to 0.2 inches (4 to 5 mm) long.
The Orchid's Labellum
A special part of the flower is the labellum, or "lip." It's green with a white patch and is about 0.2 to 0.3 inches (6 to 7 mm) long. The labellum has three sections, or lobes. The two side lobes curve outwards. The middle lobe has a white, fleshy "spur" that points downwards. This spur is about 0.2 inches (7 mm) long.
When Does it Flower?
The small tangle orchid blooms during the warmer months. You can see its flowers from November to February.
How the Small Tangle Orchid Got Its Name
The small tangle orchid was first officially described in 1880. A scientist named Ferdinand von Mueller gave it the name Cleisostoma brevilabre. He wrote about it in his book Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae.
Later, in 1967, another scientist named Alick Dockrill changed its name to Plectorrhiza brevilabris. The second part of its scientific name, brevilabris, comes from two Latin words. Brevis means "short," and labrum means "lip." This refers to the short lip on its flower.
Where Does the Small Tangle Orchid Live?
The small tangle orchid grows in rainforests. It likes to attach itself to small trees, shrubs, and the thinner branches of bigger trees. You can find this orchid in the McIlwraith Range. It also lives in the coastal areas and tablelands south of there, all the way to the Noosa River.
