Red-veined shell orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red-veined shell orchid |
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| Pterostylis hamiltonii | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
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| Species: |
hamiltonii
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| Synonyms | |
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Diplodium hamiltonii (R.Br.) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. |
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The Red-veined shell orchid (Pterostylis hamiltonii) is a special type of orchid that grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. It's known for its unique green and white striped flowers with reddish-brown marks. These orchids can form huge groups, sometimes with thousands of plants!
Like many orchids, the way this plant looks changes depending on if it's flowering or not. When it's not flowering, it has a circle of leaves close to the ground. But when it's ready to bloom, it grows a single flower on a tall stem with leaves along the stem.
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What Does It Look Like?
The Red-veined shell orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber, which is like a small storage root. It's a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It's also a deciduous herb, which means its leaves fall off during certain seasons.
When the plant is not flowering, it has a group of bluish-green leaves shaped like a circle, called a rosette. Each leaf is about 5 to 14 millimeters long and 5 to 12 millimeters wide.
The Flower's Features
When the orchid flowers, it usually has one single flower on a stem that can be 50 to 150 millimeters tall. This stem also has four to six leaves, each about 20 to 40 millimeters long. The flower itself is about 25 to 30 millimeters long and 12 to 15 millimeters wide.
The flowers are mostly white with green or reddish-brown stripes and patterns. The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, and the petals join together to form a hood. This hood covers the central part of the flower, known as the column. The dorsal sepal curves forward and has a tiny thread-like tip.
The two side parts of the flower, called the lateral sepals, stand upright and stay close to the hood. They have long, thread-like ends, about 20 to 25 millimeters long. Between their bases, there's a wide, flat dip with a small notch in the middle.
The most interesting part is the labellum, which is like the orchid's "lip." It's dark red, about 15 to 20 millimeters long, and curves outwards, sticking out above the dip. You can usually see these beautiful flowers from late May to early August.
How It Got Its Name
The Red-veined shell orchid was first officially described in 1933 by a botanist named William Henry Nicholls. He wrote about it in a science magazine called The Victorian Naturalist. The plant he described was found near a place called Boyup Brook.
The second part of its scientific name, hamiltonii, was chosen to honor Alex. G. Hamilton. He was a very experienced person in the field of botanical research, which means studying plants.
Where Does It Live?
This special orchid is found in Western Australia, in the area between Toodyay and the Stirling Range. It often grows in thick groups of Allocasuarina huegeliana trees. You can usually find it on or near large granite rocks.
It lives in several different natural areas, including the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, and Swan Coastal Plain.
Is It Safe?
Good news! The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has classified Pterostylis grandiflora as "not threatened." This means it's not currently in danger of disappearing.
