Queen of Sheba (plant) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Queen of Sheba |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Thelymitra
|
| Species: |
variegata
|
| Synonyms | |
The Thelymitra variegata, often called the Queen of Sheba, is a beautiful type of orchid. It belongs to the Orchidaceae family. This special flower grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. It has a single, tall, dark green leaf that spirals upwards. Its flowers are glossy and come in shades of red, purple, or violet. They often have darker spots and blotches, with yellowish edges. A cool feature is the two bright yellow or orange "arms" on the side of its central part, called the column.
Contents
What Does the Queen of Sheba Orchid Look Like?
The Queen of Sheba orchid is a tuberous plant. This means it has a round, underground stem that stores food, like a potato. It's also a perennial herb, so it lives for more than two years and has soft stems.
Its dark green leaf starts out egg-shaped near its purplish base. Then, it quickly becomes narrow, channelled, and twists like a spiral. This leaf can be about 40–100 mm (2–4 in) long and 7–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) wide.
The plant can have up to five glossy flowers. These flowers are a mix of reddish, purplish, or violet colors. They have darker spots and blotches, and their edges are yellowish. Each flower can be 30–50 mm (1.2–2.0 in) wide. They grow on a flowering stem that can be 100–350 mm (4–10 in) tall.
The sepals and petals of the flower are about 15–25 mm (0.6–1 in) long and 6–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) wide. The central part of the flower, called the column, is similar in color to the petals. It's about 5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and 2 mm (0.08 in) wide. On the back of the column, there's a group of small, finger-like glands. The two bright yellow or orange "ear-like" arms on the sides of the column are very noticeable.
These flowers rely on insects for pollination. They open up wide on hot, sunny days. You can usually see them flowering in August and September.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The Queen of Sheba orchid was first officially described in 1840. A scientist named John Lindley gave it the name Macdonaldia variegata. He wrote about it in a book called A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony.
Later, in 1865, another scientist named Ferdinand von Mueller changed its name. He renamed it Thelymitra variegata. This change was published in his work called Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae.
The second part of its scientific name, variegata, is a Latin word. It means "of different sorts" or "having different colors." This perfectly describes the orchid's colorful flowers!
Where Does It Live?
The Queen of Sheba orchid grows in woodlands, forests, and heathlands. It likes to be among low shrubs and grasses. As mentioned, its flowers open on sunny days to attract insects for pollination.
You can find this orchid in Western Australia, specifically between the cities of Perth and Albany. It lives in several different natural areas, including the Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Swan Coastal Plain, and Warren biogeographic regions. These are all different types of environments where specific plants and animals live.
Is It Endangered?
The Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of plants like the Queen of Sheba orchid. They have classified Thelymitra variegata as "Priority Two".
What does "Priority Two" mean? It means that this orchid is not very well known. It has only been found in one or a few places. This classification helps scientists and conservationists know which plants need more attention and protection to make sure they don't disappear. Protecting these unique plants is very important for our planet's biodiversity!
