Kalbarri shell orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kalbarri shell orchid |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
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| Species: |
microglossa
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| Synonyms | |
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Diplodium microglossum (D.L.Jones & C.J.French) D.L.Jones |
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The Pterostylis microglossa, often called the Kalbarri shell orchid, is a unique type of orchid. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This means it is endemic, or native, to that specific area.
When the plant is not flowering, it has a group of leaves that lie flat on the ground. This group is called a rosette. However, when it's time to bloom, the plant grows a flowering stem. This stem has its own leaves and a single, beautiful flower. The flower is a mix of green, white, and brownish-red colors.
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About the Kalbarri Shell Orchid
The Kalbarri shell orchid (Pterostylis microglossa) is a perennial plant. This means it lives for more than two years. It is also a deciduous herb, which means its leaves fall off at certain times. This orchid grows from an underground tuber, which is like a small storage organ.
Plants that are not flowering have a rosette of round leaves. Sometimes, many of these plants grow together. They can form large groups where their rosette leaves cover an area of several square meters.
Flowering plants do not have a rosette of leaves at their base. Instead, they have a single flower on a stem. This stem can be about 50 to 120 mm (2 to 5 inches) tall. The flower itself is green, white, and brownish-red. It measures about 20 to 25 mm (0.8 to 1 inch) long and 8 to 10 mm (0.3 to 0.4 inches) wide.
The flowering stem usually has four to six leaves. These leaves are about 10 to 25 mm (0.4 to 1 inch) long and 3 to 6 mm (0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide.
Flower Parts
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, joins with the petals. Together, they form a hood-like shape over the column. This hood is known as the "galea." The dorsal sepal has a short, pointed tip.
The two side sepals are held close to this hood. They have tips that stand upright and are about 12 to 15 mm (0.5 to 0.6 inches) long. The labellum is a small, tongue-like part of the orchid. It is just visible above the gap, or sinus, between the side sepals.
The Kalbarri shell orchid blooms during June and July.
Naming the Kalbarri Shell Orchid
The Kalbarri shell orchid was officially named Pterostylis microglossa in 2012. It was described by two botanists, David Jones and Christopher French. They wrote about it in a publication called Australian Orchid Review. The first plant they studied was found near Kalbarri National Park. Before its official naming, people simply called it Pterostylis sp. 'Kalbarri'.
The second part of its scientific name, microglossa, comes from two Ancient Greek words. Mikros means "small" or "little." Glossa means "tongue." This name refers to the orchid's relatively short labellum, which looks a bit like a small tongue.
Where the Kalbarri Shell Orchid Lives
The Kalbarri shell orchid grows in specific places in Western Australia. It likes shallow soil found on granite outcrops. It also grows on stable sand dunes. You can find it between Shark Bay and the Moore River. These areas are part of the Geraldton Sandplains and Swan Coastal Plain biogeographic regions.
Conservation Status
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at the Kalbarri shell orchid. They have listed it as "not threatened." This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
