Red-lipped spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red-lipped spider orchid |
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| Caladenia oenochila growing near Melbourne | |
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Caladenia
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oenochila
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The Caladenia oenochila, often called the red-lipped spider orchid or wine-lipped spider orchid, is a special type of plant. It belongs to the orchid family and grows only in Victoria, Australia. This ground orchid has one leaf and usually a single flower. The flower is pale yellow-green with purple spots and a dark red "lip," which is a special part of the orchid flower.
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What Does the Red-Lipped Spider Orchid Look Like?
The red-lipped spider orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It's a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It also has a round underground tuber, which is like a storage organ.
Leaves and Stems
Each orchid has one leaf that is shaped like a spear. It's about 70 to 120 millimeters (2.8 to 4.7 inches) long and 8 to 12 millimeters (0.3 to 0.5 inches) wide. This leaf has a few hairs and reddish spots near its base. The plant grows one or two flowers on a tall stem. This stem can be 200 to 400 millimeters (7.9 to 15.7 inches) high.
Flower Features
The flowers are about 60 to 80 millimeters (2.4 to 3.1 inches) across. They are pale yellow-green with purple stripes or blotches. The sepals and petals of the flower are wide at the bottom. Then they quickly become thin, long, and reddish tips. These tips have tiny glands on them.
Sepals and Petals
The top sepal stands upright. It is about 40 to 55 millimeters (1.6 to 2.2 inches) long. The two side sepals are also 40 to 55 millimeters long. They spread out wide and point downwards. The petals are about 35 to 40 millimeters (1.4 to 1.6 inches) long. They are also thin and curve downwards.
The Labellum (Lip)
The most striking part is the labellum, or "lip." It's 12 to 15 millimeters (0.5 to 0.6 inches) long and 9 to 11 millimeters (0.4 to 0.4 inches) wide. This lip is usually dark red, or sometimes pale yellow with dark red edges. Its tip is curled under. The sides of the labellum have dark red, tooth-like parts. These "teeth" can be up to 2.5 millimeters (0.1 inches) long. They get shorter towards the tip.
Calli and Flowering Time
There are four to six rows of small bumps, called calli, along the middle of the labellum. These calli are spaced out. The red-lipped spider orchid blooms in August and September. It often flowers more after a summer bushfire.
How Was This Orchid Named?
The Caladenia oenochila was officially described in 1991. A scientist named Geoffrey Carr first studied a sample of the plant. He found it near Officer, Australia. The description was then published in a scientific paper.
Meaning of the Name
The second part of its scientific name, oenochila, comes from Ancient Greek words. "Oinos" means "wine," and "cheilos" means "lip" or "rim." So, the name "wine-lipped" perfectly describes the orchid's dark red labellum.
Where Does the Red-Lipped Spider Orchid Grow?
You can mostly find the red-lipped spider orchid in the southern hills of the Great Dividing Range. It prefers to grow in shady spots. These areas are usually in forests or woodlands.
Is the Red-Lipped Spider Orchid Protected?
Yes, the Caladenia oenochila is considered "vulnerable." This means it needs protection. It is listed under Victoria's Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. This law helps protect plants and animals that are at risk.
