Raspy root orchid facts for kids

The raspy root orchid, known scientifically as Rhinerrhiza divitiflora, is a unique plant. It is the only species in its group, called Rhinerrhiza, and belongs to the large orchid family. This orchid is special because it often grows on trees or rocks instead of in the soil. It usually has one stem, many flat, rough roots, and a few leathery leaves. Its flowers are pale orange with red spots and can number up to sixty. The petals and sepals (which look like petals) are thin and pointed. You can find this orchid mainly on rainforest trees in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia.

What Does the Raspy Root Orchid Look Like?

The raspy root orchid is a herb that grows on other plants (an epiphyte) or on rocks (a lithophyte). It usually has a single stiff shoot that is about 15–40 millimetres (0.59–1.6 in) long. It has broad, flat, and rough roots.

This orchid has between two and six leathery, dark green leaves. These leaves are narrow and oblong, measuring about 80–150 millimetres (3.1–5.9 in) long and 25–30 millimetres (0.98–1.2 in) wide.

The orchid produces many pale orange flowers with red spots. There can be anywhere from six to sixty flowers on a single plant. These flowers are about 40–50 millimetres (1.6–2.0 in) long and wide. They grow on hanging stems that are 200–300 millimetres (7.9–12 in) long.

The flowers open at different times and in groups. Their sepals and petals spread out wide. The sepals are about 35–50 millimetres (1.4–2.0 in) long and 2 millimetres (0.079 in) wide. The petals are a bit shorter than the sepals.

The orchid's labellum (a special petal) is about 4 millimetres (0.16 in) long and 3 millimetres (0.12 in) wide. It has three parts, called lobes. The side lobes stand upright, and the middle lobe is short and blunt with a small spur. The raspy root orchid flowers from August to November, but each flower only lasts for one or two days.

How Did It Get Its Name?

The raspy root orchid was first officially described in 1873. George Bentham published the description, using notes from Ferdinand von Mueller. Mueller had originally named it Saccolabium divitiflorus. This description was published in a book called Flora Australiensis. The plant was found by Robert D. FitzGerald near the Macleay River.

Later, in 1954, Herman Rupp changed the orchid's name to Rhinerrhiza divitiflora. The name Rhinerrhiza comes from Ancient Greek words. Rhine means "file" or "rasp", and rhiza means "root". This refers to the orchid's rough, raspy roots.

The second part of the name, divitiflora, comes from Latin words. Dives means "rich" or "wealthy", and flos means "flower". So, the name means "rich-flowered raspy root".

Where Does It Grow?

The raspy root orchid, Rhinerrhiza divitiflora, grows on trees in rainforests and other damp forests. Sometimes, it can also be found growing on rocks. You can find this orchid in Australia, from the Atherton Tableland in Queensland all the way down to the Hunter River in New South Wales.

See also

In Spanish: Rhinerrhiza para niños