Reaching spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Reaching spider orchid |
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| Caladenia arrecta in the Stirling Range National Park | |
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Caladenia
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arrecta
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The reaching spider orchid, also known as Caladenia arrecta, is a special plant. It belongs to the orchid family and grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This means it is endemic to that area, found nowhere else in the world!
This unique orchid has one tall, hairy leaf. It also grows up to three colorful flowers on a stem that can reach about 35 centimeters (14 inches) high. Its flowers are a mix of red, yellow, and green. You can tell it apart from other similar orchids by its petals, which sweep upwards, and its special "calli" on the labellum. Even though it's not super common, you can find it spread across the south-eastern coastal areas.
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What Does the Reaching Spider Orchid Look Like?
The reaching spider orchid is a ground-dwelling plant. It is a perennial herb, meaning it lives for more than two years. It has an underground tuber, which is like a small storage root. Each year, it grows a single, hairy leaf that can be 10 to 30 centimeters (4 to 12 inches) long. This leaf is usually about 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) wide.
Flower Details: Colors and Shapes
The orchid's flowers grow on a stem that is 12 to 35 centimeters (5 to 14 inches) tall. Each stem can have up to three beautiful flowers. These flowers are usually 5 to 8 centimeters (2 to 3 inches) long and 3 to 5 centimeters (1 to 2 inches) wide. They come in striking shades of red, yellow, and green.
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, stands straight up. The side sepals point downwards and have interesting club-shaped tips. The petals also have these clubbed tips, but they spread upwards. The most unique part is the labellum, which is the orchid's special lip. It is red and has fringes of pointed parts called calli. There are also two pairs of deep red calli in rows along its center. You can see these orchids flowering from late July to mid-October.
How Was This Orchid Named?
The reaching spider orchid was first officially described in 2001. Two scientists, Stephen Hopper and Andrew Brown, gave it its scientific name, Caladenia arrecta. They found a specimen of this orchid near a place called Bindoon.
Meaning Behind the Name
The description of the orchid was published in a scientific journal called Nuytsia. The second part of its name, arrecta, comes from a Latin word. It means "upright," which perfectly describes how the orchid's petals stand up!
Where Does the Reaching Spider Orchid Grow?
The reaching spider orchid lives in many different places across Western Australia. You can find it scattered between Esperance and Bindoon. It grows in various types of soil and habitats.
Orchid Habitats in Western Australia
This orchid is found in several natural areas, including the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Swan Coastal Plain, and Warren regions. It adapts well to different environments within these areas.
Is the Reaching Spider Orchid Protected?
The good news is that the Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has classified Caladenia arrecta as "Not Threatened." This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
