Red sepaled snail orchid facts for kids
The Pterostylis erubescens, also known as the red sepaled snail orchid, is a special type of orchid that only grows in the south-western part of Western Australia. When it's not flowering, this plant has a flat group of leaves on the ground, like a circle. But when it's ready to bloom, it grows a single, large green flower. As the flower gets older, it changes color to a reddish-brown. The flowering stem also has its own leaves.
Quick facts for kids Red sepaled snail orchid |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
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| Species: |
erubescens
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| Synonyms | |
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Diplodium brevichilum (D.L.Jones & C.J.French) D.L.Jones |
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Contents
What Does the Red Sepaled Snail Orchid Look Like?
The red sepaled snail orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber (like a small potato). It's a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It's also a deciduous herb, which means its leaves fall off at certain times of the year, and it doesn't have a woody stem.
When the plant is not flowering, its leaves form a flat circle on the ground, about 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters (0.6 to 1 inch) wide.
When it flowers, it grows a single green bloom on a stem that can be 6 to 20 centimeters (2.4 to 7.9 inches) tall. The flower itself is about 1.2 to 2 centimeters (0.5 to 0.8 inches) long and 0.6 to 1 centimeter (0.2 to 0.4 inches) wide. As the flower gets older, it turns a reddish-brown color. The flowering stem can have up to ten leaves, each about 0.8 to 2.2 centimeters (0.3 to 0.9 inches) long and 0.4 to 1 centimeter (0.2 to 0.4 inches) wide.
The top sepal (a leaf-like part of the flower) and the petals are joined together. They form a hood, called a "galea," over the central part of the flower, which is called the column. The top sepal has a pointed tip, and the petals spread out widely. The side sepals are held close to the galea, almost closing the front of the flower. They have thin, thread-like tips that are about 1.2 to 2.3 centimeters (0.5 to 0.9 inches) long. The labellum (a special petal) is quite large but you can't see it from outside the flower.
This orchid usually flowers from late July to September.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The red sepaled snail orchid, Pterostylis erubescens, was officially described in 2014. It was named by two botanists, David Jones and Christopher French. They found a sample of the plant near Augusta. Their description was published in a magazine called Australian Orchid Review.
Before it got its official name, people knew this orchid as Pterostylis sp. 'red flowered'. The second part of its scientific name, erubescens, comes from a Latin word that means "reddening." This name refers to how the upper parts of the flowers turn reddish as they get older.
Where Does This Orchid Grow?
The red sepaled snail orchid grows in different places in Western Australia. You can find it in forests, woodlands, and near large granite rocks. It grows in the area between Mandurah and Albany. This includes several special natural areas like the Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain, and Warren regions.
Is the Red Sepaled Snail Orchid Safe?
The good news is that the red sepaled snail orchid is currently listed as "not threatened." This means it's not in danger of disappearing. The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of plants like this to make sure they stay safe.
